Asian Games 2026: Meet Teqball, the sport that could give India its first medal

The 2026 Asian Games are set to showcase a new sport that could potentially give India its first medal at the continental competition. Teqball, a sport blending elements of football and racquet sports like table tennis, has made its debut at the Asian Games. Indian athletes, including Quimcy Dsouza in the women's singles bronze match and Quimcy and Md Anas in the mixed doubles bronze match, are expected to make a strong presence in the new sport.

The sport, which was created in 2012 in Budapest, Hungary, has gained significant traction in recent years and entered the European Games as a medal event in 2023. Teqball is played on a curved table with a standard-sized football, a rigid net, and a service line. Simple rules govern the game, where athletes have three touches to return the ball, and the third touch must send it back to the opponent.

The sport's growth in India has been bolstered by social media promotion and the involvement of prominent football clubs like Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Arsenal, which use the sport for recreation and training. With only 180 registered Teqball players in India, the country's potential medal at the Asian Games marks a significant milestone in the sport's history.