By Emmanuel Enebeli
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: The Rivers Whales Teqball team has used the Nigeria Bar Association’s 2026 football tournament in Port Harcourt to promote the sport and introduce more football enthusiasts and legal practitioners to its techniques.
The development was contained in a statement signed by Viura Lezigha, Secretary, Rivers State Teqball Association (RIVTEQ), following the team’s participation in activities surrounding the NBA President’s Cup at the Real Madrid Academy Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The football tournament featured teams representing the NBA branches across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory and was held as part of activities associated with the 66th NBA Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, scheduled for August 21 to 28, 2026.
According to the statement, members of the Rivers Whales engaged interested NBA players during the competition, using the opportunity to demonstrate the basic techniques and playing principles of Teqball.
The team also staged exhibition performances during the half-time intervals of both the men’s and women’s football finals, giving spectators an opportunity to watch the sport in action.
Chairman of the Rivers State Teqball Association, Halim Adebola Zaccah, participated in the engagement by explaining the techniques and fundamentals of the game to the audience.
The association said the NBA tournament provided an avenue to expose a wider audience to Teqball and encourage greater interest in the sport, particularly among football players and enthusiasts.
Teqball, a football-based sport played on a specially designed curved table, combines football skills with elements of table tennis and has continued to gain recognition as a competitive sporting discipline.
The Rivers Whales are now expected to shift their attention to preparations for the inaugural National Intermediate Games, EKO 2026, scheduled to hold in Lagos from October 1 to 15.
The National Intermediate Games are designed to provide a competitive platform for athletes aged 15 to 18 and create a pathway for the identification and development of young sporting talents across Nigeria.
The official EKO 2026 programme lists 28 sports, with athletes from the 36 states and the FCT expected to participate in the maiden edition of the Games.
The Rivers Whales’ participation in the NBA event is expected to form part of the team’s broader efforts to promote Teqball and prepare athletes for the upcoming national competition.
