March 17, 2021
By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
The Sierra Leone Teqball Federation has completed the first Series of the 2021 Challenge Cup which took place at the Siaka Stevens Stadium from 13th to 14th March 2021.
Teqball is a ball sport that is played on a curved table, combining elements of football and table tennis. Back and front, the players hit a football with any part of the body arms and hands. The sport can be played between two players as a single game, or between four players as a doubles game.
The game is represented at an international level by the International Federation of Teqball (FITEQ) and a number of World- class footballers have been attracted by the game, and after being added to the programmes for the 2021 Asian Beach Games and African Beach Games. The Sport is now aiming to be part of Olympic Games inclusion.
Teqball became the World’s fastest recognized sport in August 2018 when FITEQ was officially recognized by the Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA) and in June 2019 it was officially recognized by the Association of National Olympic Committee of Africa (ANOCA).
The just concluded event attracted 47 Teqers from the four regions of Sierra Leone. There were Teqers from Kenema, Kailahun, Port Loko City, Bo, Masiaka, Calaba Town and Brookfield’s in Freetown.
The Team Leader of Teqball Sierra Leone Unisa Deen Kargbo and the Deputy Team Leader Alie Nyelenkeh were at the stadium to receive the Teqers. Both men addressed the Teqers on the need to remain focus and put maximum focus towards the tournament.
Unisa Deen emphasized that the success of the first edition will tell the world that Teqball is growing in Sierra Leone.
During the kick starts of the tournament the Teqers were then divided into four groups and four tables were used for the preliminaries up to the quarter finals. In the semi-finals slots there were brilliant exposure of skills and understanding of the game.
The match officials (Referees) were headed by Alhaji Kamara who did exceptionally throughout the Tournament as they won the admiration of the public. In the tournament, Kenema and Kailahun Teqers bravely fought their way to the Semi -finals alongside Port Loko, Calaba Town and Brookfield’s but Koya Teqers from Masiaka qualified in all categories.
The final took place on 14th March at the Siaka Stevens Stadium and there was a procession ceremony of all the participants before the final matches. When business was called to order the atmosphere was completely different.
In the singles, Ibrahim Kamara of Stadium Teq defeated Abdulai Bangura of Koya Teq by two straight sets. It was 12 – 4, 12 – 9.
In doubles, Alie Sesay and Christian Lavalie of Koya Teq defeated Gibrilla Kamara and Daniel Sandy of Brookfield’s Teq by two sets to one. It was 12 – 8, 4 – 12, 16 – 14. This was a very tight encounter.
In the Mixed Doubles Kabba Fofanah and Kadiatu G Kamara of Calaba Teq defeated Ibrahim Sorie Koroma and Hawanatu A Kamara of Koya Teq by two sets to one. It was 10 – 12, 12 – 5, 12 – 4. Koya started well by winning the first set but faded away in the remaining ones.
Many on lookers commended the Teqball Federation of Sierra Leone for what they referred as best organization.
In his address to the participants, the president of Taekwondo Federation of Sierra Leone, Oness Abayomi Johnson who represented the National Olympic Committee (NOC) assured the Teqers of the protection of the NOC. He said NOC will continue to encourage the Sierra Leone Teqers until Teqball becomes an Olympics Sports.
The Secretary General of the Swimming Federation of Sierra Leone, Mohamed Turay, also praised the event. At the closing ceremony, the Teqball flag was handed over to the representative of Masiaka Town which will be the next host for the second Series on 27th and 28th March.
Trophies, medals and other prizes were handed over to the winning teams.