Brian Jeffrey
| Participants at the Word Teqball Series 2023 held in Binh Dinh Province in June. The upcoming 2024 World Teqball Championship is set to take place in HCM City this December. Image courtesy of the organizers |
HCM City will soon be the center stage for teqball, hosting the seventh World Teqball Championships from December 4 to 8.
After a thorough selection process, the city was picked as the host, highlighting the sport’s rise in popularity and its integration into international athletics.
This exciting event promises to bring together top players for five days of intense competition in Vietnam’s commercial hub.
The championships will feature thrilling matches across five categories, including men’s and women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, all set to take place outdoors at the iconic Nguyen Hue Square.
FITEQ president Gabor Borsanyi expressed enthusiasm about returning to Southeast Asia, following a successful event last year.
“Vietnam has demonstrated its hospitality in Quy Nhon, and I expect a memorable tournament in beautiful HCM City,” he noted.
Vietnam is rapidly emerging as a key location for teqball, especially after the success of the Teqball World Series in Quy Nhon, which attracted large crowds to its scenic beaches in June.
“We invite athletes from around the globe to join us in HCM City for the World Teqball Championships 2024, commemorating a decade of teqball,” announced Pham Thi Kim An, CEO of Saigon Sport Investment Company Limited, the event’s sponsor.
“Besides the competitive spirit, attendees can enjoy a festive ambiance with diverse food offerings from food trucks and live performances throughout the event,” she added.
The 2023 championship held in Bangkok attracted a record 211 players from 61 countries, and organizers anticipate this year’s event will surpass those numbers, with registrations from over 90 nations.
Bela Muller, FITEQ Head of Communications, stated, “This world championship will likely set new records. HCM City is an excellent venue, and we are confident that it will create a memorable event.”
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| Competitors during the 2023 championship held in Thailand. |
Teqball is gaining traction as a popular sport, drawing millions of players globally, and is a contender for future Olympic inclusion.
It is officially part of the competition schedule for the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand in 2025.
Teqball combines elements of football, volleyball, sepak takraw, and table tennis. It was co-founded by three Hungarians: former footballer Gabor Borsanyi, entrepreneur Gyorgy Gattyán, and computer scientist Viktor Huszar.
Initially launched in Budapest in 2014, the sport welcomed former Brazilian football star Ronaldinho as its ambassador.
Two years later, FITEQ was established and now comprises 156 members.
The Vietnamese organizers are excited about the championship serving as a platform to promote HCM City’s culture and hospitality to an international audience.
Alongside the tournament, various activities will showcase Vietnamese culture and cuisine.
An exhibit titled ‘Hello Vietnam!’ will display photos of local and global heritage sites.
Additionally, the HCM City Museum will host an exhibition on Vietnamese history and culture, featuring various regions’ unique cultural aspects, interactive activities, and traditional dishes.
City tours will be arranged for the teams, promoting knowledge about Vietnam and its people, as well as HCM City itself.
On December 7, an investment promotion conference will aim to connect business leaders and invite investments in sectors like culture, sports, commerce, and tourism, including notable figures like billionaire Gyorgy Gattyán from Teqball.
VNS
