Hungarian Embassy Promotes Teqball in Partnership with UG Sports Directorate
The Deputy Ambassador for the Hungarian Embassy, His Excellency David Bekesi, has presented Teqball equipment to the Sports Directorate at a ceremony held on the handball courts of the University of Ghana.
In his welcome address, Mr. Augustine Amissare, Senior Assistant Registrar at the Sports Directorate, expressed appreciation to the Hungarian Embassy and the Teqball Federation of Ghana for introducing the sport and donating the equipment as well. He remarked that once the sport had been introduced to the University of Ghana (UG), the rest of the other public universities across the country will be eager to embrace it and learn. He assured of the Directorate’s support to the development of the game in Ghana.
Mr. Hubert Mensah, General Manager, Teqball Federation of Ghana (TFG), mentioned the sport has been played in Ghana for the past four years. He added that the game could be played by anyone. It requires the use of any part of the body except the hands in playing. It has three main blocks during competitions; singles, doubles and mixed doubles. Mr. Mensah assured UG of technical and logistical support as the Federation seeks to develop the game across the country.
His Excellency David Bekesi, Deputy Ambassador, Hungarian Embassy
In his speech, the Deputy Ambassador for the Hungarian Embassy, His Excellency David Bekesi, was happy that discussions with the Sports Directorate on introducing the sport had seen the light of day. He added that the sport which is an indigenous game in Hungary, has the potential to develop and be accepted by all in Ghana because it is similar to football and Ghana already has a passion for football.
"I am positive about the future of the sport because the university has a leading role in promoting and introducing new disciplines to its people. It has the ability to bring the youth together to develop their skills and expose them to both local and international competitions. We are working with key stakeholders within the sports industry to further introduce the sport to other universities. We will also look at the possibility of extending Hungarian scholarships to other areas, such as sports, for training more people in Teqball."
He presented two Teqball boards as a donation of the International Teqball Federation (FITEQ) valued at Three Thousand Four Hundred Euros (€3,400.00) to the University of Ghana and pledged their unflinching support to the Sports Directorate.
Alhaji Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu, Director of Sports, UG
In a statement, the Director of Sports at UG, Alhaji Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu, described the event as very significant for him personally and for the Sports Directorate. He mentioned that everything was available for Teqball to thrive on the University of Ghana campus. He was elated that UG had been introduced to Teqball in its formative stage in Ghana.
"Some countries have it further than us. But with UG taking responsibility of Teqball, a lot can happen. One thing is clear: if you want sustainability in sports, you better do it in an educational institution, and if it is a university, the better. I am happy UG has taken the lead and Teqball will be anchored and soon become one of the popular sports among the youth. This has the potential to promote academic and sports among the youth in Ghana. We have started discussions to incorporate Teqball into our activities at UG and we will also discuss with the Ghana Universities Sports Association fraternity to embrace it with support from the Hungarian Embassy and the Teqball Federation. "
Present also at the presentation were Mr. Kofi Poku, President of TFG; Ms. Linda Poku, Secretary, TFG and other officials of the Federation; Mr. Henry Nii Sackey, Head Coach, Sports Directorate; and other staff of the Sports Directorate and student athletes.
