Nagoya: India’s debut in teqball at the Asian Games ended in defeat for the men’s doubles pair, but the event has been hailed by participants as the start of a new chapter for a rapidly emerging sport in the country.
Early exits, clear signs of progress
The men’s doubles combination of Declan Gonsalves and Mohamed Anas were eliminated after straight-set losses to Vietnam (10-12, 8-12) and South Korea (4-12, 7-12) at the Higashi Sports Centre. The results halted their campaign, but did not dampen the sense of occasion surrounding teqball’s continental debut.
Teqball, a hybrid of football and table tennis played on a curved table, is one of six sports making its first appearance at this edition of the Asian Games. The discipline originated in Hungary about 12 years ago and has taken root in India only in the last four years, with an estimated community of around 180 registered teqball athletes in the country.
Personal journeys highlight the sport’s infancy in India
Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza, one of India’s most visible teqball athletes, symbolises the personal sacrifices behind the sport’s modest growth. Bengaluru-based Quimcy left her job in Mumbai and relocated to Bengaluru to establish a teqball facility and devote herself to the sport. She competes in the women’s singles and will pair with Anas in the mixed doubles later in the Games.
“All the four years I have been playing the sport, I’ve only been explaining what it is. But the Asian Games is a huge opportunity for us,” Quimcy said, describing how the Games have legitimised years of work by a small band of self-taught players and coaches.
For athletes such as Quimcy and Declan, the Asian Games represents a milestone after years of grassroots effort, self-funding and promotion. On Thursday, a handful of supporters in the stands — including Declan’s parents Derek and Deborah Gonsalves who flew in from Mumbai, and India’s deputy chef de mission and former shooting stalwart Anjali Bhagwat — watched the matches and celebrated the moment for the fledgling community.
What the results mean and what comes next
While the men’s doubles pair exited early, Anas still has the chance to extend his competition schedule by contesting the mixed doubles with Quimcy. The Indian contingent also features entrants in women’s singles and other events, offering further opportunities for exposure and experience at the highest continental level.
Participants and supporters hope the exposure at the Asian Games will accelerate teqball’s development in India, creating pathways for coaching, facilities and competition. The sport’s recent arrival in the country means much of the current crop are self-taught players who have transitioned rapidly into coaching roles to spread the game domestically.
- Results: India men’s doubles – lost to Vietnam 10-12, 8-12; lost to South Korea 4-12, 7-12.
- Key players: Declan Gonsalves, Mohamed Anas, Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza.
- Background: Teqball founded in Hungary ~12 years ago; present in India for about four years; estimated 180 players nationwide.
| Match | Score |
|---|---|
| India (Declan Gonsalves/Mohamed Anas) vs Vietnam | 10-12, 8-12 |
| India (Declan Gonsalves/Mohamed Anas) vs South Korea | 4-12, 7-12 |
Despite the on-court setbacks, the presence of Indian athletes at the Asian Games is already helping to change perceptions back home. Organisers, coaches and the small player base view the continental stage as a platform to inspire new participants and attract investment in equipment and training facilities.
For now, the focus for India’s teqball contingent is on maximising competitive minutes in Nagoya and translating the Games’ visibility into sustained growth when they return. The early exits may have ended medal hopes this week, but for many involved the experience marks the beginning rather than the end of a longer journey.
