HCM City (VNA)♒ – The 2024 Teqball World Championship officially kicked off in Ho Chi Minh City on December 4.

Jointly held by the municipal 's People’s Committee and the International Teqball Federation (FITEQ), the tournament drew the participation of over 220 athletes, including 135 men and 86 women from 95 countries and territories, competing in five categories: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. With more than 300 matches scheduled, top contenders include players from Brazil, Argentina, Hungary, Romania, and Spain, who are strong candidates for championship titles. Nguyen Nam Nhan, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, said the event aims to promote teqball and encourage public engagement in this sport and hoped that the tournament will position Vietnam as a friendly and dynamic destination, boosting domestic and international tourism. Tran Duy Kham, Director of the Hoa Lu Sports Centre, emphasised that teqball, a sport blending football, sepak takraw, and table tennis, aligns well with the physical and technical characteristics of Vietnamese athletes. Vietnam’s national team is competing on the world stage for the first time, with limited preparation time but high determination to learn and improve. Notably, Vietnamese athlete Vo Bao Huy, who had trained in Hungary, will compete in all the five categories. He expressed optimism despite tough competition, pledging to deliver thrilling matches for spectators. Hungarian Consul General Gábor Lehőcz highlighted the championship as a significant global sports event, fostering cultural exchange and showcasing Vietnam’s rising status in international sports. Teqball, a rapidly growing sport with millions of players worldwide, was recently included in the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand and aspires to be part of the Olympics. The championship runs until December 8, with finals scheduled on December 7-8. Parallel activities include cultural exhibitions, investment promotion conferences, and a vibrant light show with the theme "Hello Vietnam!", among others./.