As the curtain falls on the 2024 World Teqball Championship Qualifiers in Aba, Abia State, the Abia State government, the sponsors of the 2024 edition has pledged to host the next edition.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s reigning Men’s Teqball Champion Victor Oyemade and African’s No 2, has retained his Single Men’s title of the Men’s category after defeating Khalid Akorede of Abia State by 2 – 1 in a tension soaked and thrilling finals.
Victor won the first set 12-7 but Khalid, known for his skillful and highly technical play, came back strong to win the second set 12 – 10. Victor, the Nigeria’s representative to the World Teqball Series in Vietnam earlier this year, determined not to be dethroned by his former teammate in Team Delta proved his superiority in the 3rd set by posting an emphatic 12-6 scores line.
To get to the Finals, Oyemade defeated his fellow Delta State counterpart, Andrew Ikoko 2 – 0 (12 – 3, 12 – 7) in the semi-finals while Akorede defeated Tobi Mejedi 2 – 1 (12 – 6, 10 – 12, 12 – 9). In the 3rd place match, Tobi Mejedi of Abia State defeated Andrew Ikoko of Delta 2 games to 1 to take the bronze medal.
By this victory, Victor will fly the nation’s flag in this year Teqball Championship at a venue to be announced later this month by the world body FITEQ.
In the Women’s Singles, high rising Rashiat Salau took the gold. Salau also paired with Funsho Samson to win the Mixed Double against the duo of Efosa Austin Obosa and Gladys Alice Abasi. In the Men’s doubles, Delta pair of Victor Oyemade/Ikoko Andrew beat the duo of Khalid Akorede and Funsho Samson of Abia 2-1 in a thrilling finals with the 3rd set going into multiple tie-breaks (12-8, 11-12, 16-14)
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, accompanied by members of his Executive as and the Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Lorand Endreffy retreated his commitment to support the game of Teqball in the State. He thereafter pledged his government’s readiness to host again next year Championship follow the huge success recorded. In his own remark, the Ambassador praised the fast growth of the game, which originated from Hungry, in Nigeria within a short time.
All the winners will fly Nigeria’s flag to the next World Teqball Championship later this year in a venue to be announced by the World Teqball Federation, FITEQ.
