Asian Games 2026: What Is Teqball?

The Asian Games are set to begin in two days, but India’s campaign will start on Thursday with the Teqball competition. Mohammad Anas and Declan Gonçalves will begin their medal quest in the men’s doubles event. Quimsi D’Souza is the third Indian competitor at the Games, with the Indian contingent set to participate across singles, doubles and mixed doubles events. Teqball is a relatively new sport that combines elements of football and table tennis. Developed in Hungary by three football enthusiasts, the sport was introduced internationally in 2016 and is making its Asian Games debut this year.

Teqball is played on a specially designed, curved table that resembles a table-tennis board. Instead of a small table-tennis ball, players use a football and are not allowed to touch it with their hands. They can use their feet, knees, head, thighs, chest and other parts of the body to return the ball. A player or team gets up to three touches to send the ball back over the board. In doubles, the two players must collectively return the ball within three touches. The same body part cannot be used consecutively. Matches are played in a best-of-three format, with the first player or team to reach 12 points winning a set. If the score reaches 11-11, play continues until one side establishes a two-point lead. The sport places considerable emphasis on fitness, coordination and ball control. India’s Mohammad Anas will compete in doubles and mixed doubles, Declan Gonçalves in doubles, and Quimsi D’Souza in singles and mixed doubles.