The initiative, run from June to September this year and launched in partnership with The Republican National Guard and Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Santarém, provides children from poor socioeconomic backgrounds the chance to play teqball and learn about the values of the sport.

The curriculum of a series of events, classes and tutorials included teaching children of the "importance of leading a healthy and active lifestyle, as well as the social benefits sport can bring, including teamwork, inclusivity and discipline," it has been claimed.

PTF director Rui Marques Leitão, who chiefly organised the four-month programme of events, said: "It was fantastic to be able to give these kids the opportunity to engage with other young people with shared experiences and work together to learn important physical and social skills through teqball. 

"I also feel privileged to be able to learn from them; despite being so young they have had many different life experiences. 

"Seeing the joy, enthusiasm and happiness on their faces is truly wonderful. 

"They really put life into perspective and made me a better person. 

"They are all very special and I am so grateful to help them on their journeys."

The International Teqball Federation (FITEQ) has praised the PTF for its work.

"FITEQ always looks to promote that teqball can be played by anyone, anywhere and at any time, regardless of age, gender or sporting ability," said FITEQ head of sport operations Krisztina Csavajda. 

"It was therefore very fulfilling to witness the all-inclusive nature of the teqball activities during the Kids in Action programme. 

"As someone who works with underprivileged children myself, it brings me great joy to see teqball putting smiles on people’s faces. 

"FITEQ is a strong advocate for sport playing a role in society, and it is very encouraging to see national federations adopting their own CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) programmes that seek to contribute to a brighter world."