The three-day competition, organised by the Phuket Provincial Sports Association and the Phuket Provincial Teqball Club and funded with financial backing from the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO), was held between July 25-27 at the Saphan Hin Sports Stadium, drawing participants from all across the country.
More than 40 teams from all across the country participated, representing provinces including Surat Thani, Krabi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Buriram, Bangkok, Chumphon, Ranong and Phuket. The teams were a genuine eclectic mix, comprising those from provincial teqball associations and local clubs, to school teams and even retail stores.
Teams were mixed between male and female athletes and competition was divided into two specific age groups, namely the youth category under the age of 17 years old and the open age class catering for those above 17.
The opening ceremony for the event was held at the Saphan Hin Sports Stadium at 7pm on Saturday, July 25, overseen by PPAO President Rewat Areerob, who was joined by: Thammawat Wongcharoenyos, President of the Phuket Provincial Sports Association (PPSA); Chalam Attham, PPAO Vice President; Phibunsak Kittithorakul, Deputy Mayor of Phuket Town; Prachan Pachanabut, President of the Phuket Teqball Club; Thanusak Phungdet, former President of the Andaman Chamber of Commerce and current Hungarian Honory Consul in Phuket, in addition to members of the competition organising committee, distinguished guests, athletes and referees.
“Teqball continues to rise in popularity and we are delighted to host this important competition and welcome participants and spectators from all over the country to Phuket,” Mr Rewat said in his opening remarks.
He further explained that the competition had been organised to promote physical activity among citizens, develop athlete potential and to raise the standard of teqball nationally but especially in Phuket. The event was also another example of how sports tourism can stimulate the local economy, he added.
On July 27 the closing ceremony was held at the same venue where Mr Thammawat and colleagues distributed prizes and trophies to the winning teams in each class.
Joining Mr Thammawat in handing out the trophies were: Ratchadaporn Oin, head of the Tourism and Sports Ministry office in Phuket; Narumon Srisajjang, Phuket Provincial Finance Officer; Sophon Kiemkarn, Phuket Provincial Public Relations Officer; Wittaya Ketchu, Director of Phuket Vocational College; Thanusak Phungdet, President of the Andaman Southern Chamber of Commerce; and Prachan Pajantabut, President of the Phuket Provincial Teqball Club.
Sports Excellence Program
The event followed a youth-specific teqball tournament that was held several days earlier between July 19-20 at Piboon Sawasdee Municipal School in Talat Yai as part of the 2025 Phuket Sports Excellence Program to promote ongoing development of sports skills in youngsters.
PPSA chief Thammawat Wongcharoenyot was once again in attendance, joned by PPSA assistant secretary Krisada Oin, and PPSA directors Yongyut Ounnuch and Pisut Bungoy who watched the competition and distributed medals to participating students.
Mr Thammawat praised the students participating, explaining that the sport continues to grow globally and has been identified as a key component of the Phuket Sports Excellence Program.
“It is an accessible sport that allows youngsters to maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle,” he said. “Those who demonstrtae particular prowess in the sport will also have the opportunity to develop their skillset at provincial level and and potentially advance to represent their country,” Mr Thammawat added.
As per Wikipedia’s definition, “Teqball is a ball sport that is played on a curved table, combining elements of football (soccer) and table tennis. Back and forth, the players hit a ball with any part of the body except arms and hands. Teqball can be played between two players as a singles game or between four players as a doubles game.”
The game was invented in 2014 in Hungary by three football enthusiasts, including former professional player Gábor Borsányi, and has grown significantly in popularity in countries all over the world since. The sport is represented at an international level by the International Teqball Federation (FITEQ) and is a fully fledged member of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).