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Abia Hosts 2026 Teqball World Championship Qualifiers As Delta Dominates, Five Teams Book Budapest Tickets – The Eagle News
Abia Hosts 2026 Teqball World Championship Qualifiers As Delta Dominates, Five Teams Book Budapest Tickets – The Eagle News
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ABA — Abia State has reinforced its status as home of Teqball in Nigeria after successfully hosting the 2026 Teqball World Championship Qualifiers at Aba Sports Club 1926, with five gold medal-winning entries securing qualification to represent Nigeria at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
The qualifiers, which attracted over 60 tequers from 14 states, featured matches across men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles, with athletes battling for opportunity to compete at the global championship in December.
Delta State emerged overall best, topping medals table with 3 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze. Its number-one tequer, Victor Oyemade, underlined his dominance with victory over fellow Delta player Mikel Enebechukwu in men’s singles final, winning 12-8, 12-5 to claim title and Budapest ticket.
Delta’s Rejoice Jatau emerged women’s singles champion after defeating compatriot Efemena Ekeke 12-8, 12-7, while in mixed doubles final, Oyemade and Jatau combined to defeat Abia State’s Ihiedioha Mcblaise and Mariam Abdulasheed 12-4, 12-10, completing another gold for Delta.
Host Abia State finished second with 1 gold and 2 silver, with women’s doubles title going to Aganmuyi Omokehinde and Mariam Abdulasheed who overcame Efemena Ekeke and Miracle Edafe of Delta 12-10, 12-9.
Rivers State also secured championship ticket through Joshua Musa and Ikoko Andrew, who defeated Abia’s Khalid Yahyah and Tobi Mejedji in three sets, 8-12, 12-5, 12-9, to win men’s doubles title.
Rivers finished third with one gold and 3 bronze, while Lagos State won a bronze medal.
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The five gold medal-winning entries will now represent Nigeria at 2026 Teqball World Championships in Budapest, where they will compete against world’s best players.
Speaking at event, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, represented by Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Jane Igwe, congratulated the winners and thanked Governor Alex Otti for his determination to develop all kinds of Sports in Abia.
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The president of Nigeria Teqball Federation, Habu Gumel, represented the Federation’s Vice President and Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Mr. Ndudi Edede, described Abia’s hosting as a significant milestone in the continued development and promotion of Teqball in Nigeria.
Vice President Nigeria Teqball Federation and Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Mr. Ndudi Edede,
Gumel noted Abia had become the only state to host consecutively the World Teqball Championship Qualifiers and maiden edition of National Teqball League in March 2026, and only state that had purchased and donated Teqball equipment to support the development of sport.
“It is therefore not out of place to say that Abia, presently, is home of Teqball in Nigeria,” he stated, urging other states to emulate Governor Otti’s commitment to Sports development and youth empowerment.
He expressed appreciation to the 69th President of Aba Sports Club, Chief Nkene Enukeme and members of the management committee for providing a standard venue.
He further noted that the competition provided important platform for discovering talents, strengthening competitive structures and preparing Nigerian athletes for greater challenges on international stage.
“We encourage you to prepare diligently for next stage. To those who did not qualify this time, do not be discouraged. Every competition is opportunity to learn, improve and come back stronger,” Gumel stated.
Abia State Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, commended Governor Otti for creating an enabling environment for Sports to thrive, and urged youths to take advantage of the introduction and growing popularity of Teqball in the state to embrace Sports and develop their talents
The Chairman of Abia State Teqball Association, Mr. Frank Nwachi, expressed gladness for a successful and injury-free championship, congratulating athletes who qualified and urging them to make Nigeria proud on the international stage.
In interview with journalists, Victor Oyemade of Team Delta and Aganmuyi Omokehinde of Team Abia assured they would do their best to represent Nigeria well at forthcoming World Teqball Championship.
The qualifiers were sponsored by Abia State Government, which also supported development of sport through donation of six new Teqball tables to Abia State Teqball Association.
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