The announcement by FITEQ comes exactly two years to the day since the world governing body was formed.

Judges released the list of this year’s Sports Business Awards finalists in 18 categories, recognising FITEQ in both the "Best Club CSR or Community Scheme" and the "Best Sports Event of the Year - Overseas" categories.

The second edition of the Teqball World Cup, held in French city Reims in October of last year, is in line for the "Best Sports Event of the Year - Overseas" award.

The highly-successful event saw the number of participating countries more than double from the previous year and the number of live, online and television spectators grow exponentially, including more than 2,500 in the stadium alone.

Male and female athletes from 42 countries played in a series of singles and doubles matches over the course of two days, with Montenegro's Bogdan Marojevic and Nikola Mitro winning the doubles championship and Romanian Barna Szécsi claiming the singles title.

Players from all corners of the globe were represented, including those from Asian, African, European and Pacific nations, and for the first time all four nations in Great Britain took part.

FITEQ’s annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme was shortlisted for its campaign to reach underprivileged regions of Africa and the Middle East through sport-based educational programmes, collaborating with Peace and Sport, local Hungarian embassies and the Madagascar Olympic Committee. 

In 2018, the CSR programme reached thousands of people in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Israel, Jordan, Madagascar, Nigeria and Palestine.

"We’re delighted to be recognised among so many industry-leading organisations and feel it really helps to validate all of our hard work to ensure teqball is not only a fantastic sport to play and watch, but also one that leaves a positive mark on the world," FITEQ vice-president Viktor Huszar said.

This year’s Sports Business Awards shortlist covers a diverse range of sports across both amateur and professional codes, including athletics, cricket, cycling, darts, football, golf, hockey, netball, rowing, rugby and swimming.

Finalists include sports agencies, clubs, sponsors, foundations, businesses and partners, all involved in promoting the success, innovation and growth of sports on the global stage.

Winners are due be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony, due to be held at The Brewery in London on May 31.

Brazilian footballing icon Ronaldinho is among a number of high-profile retired players to have backed teqball.

The 39-year-old former Ballon D'Or winner has signed a formal partnership agreement with the sport, a cross between football and table tennis, meaning he will take part in a series of worldwide teqball events to raise the sport's profile.

He joins Arsenal legend Robert Pirès, former Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham defender William Gallas and Portugal's Simão Sabrosa on the list of retired professionals to have backed the sport.

Since the sport's creation in Hungary’s capital Budapest just five years ago, FITEQ claim it has spread to more than 42 countries worldwide.

The sport's signature curved tables are now a common feature at the training grounds of many of the world’s top clubs, including Arsenal, Barcelona, Manchester United and Real Madrid.