Fox, who is also vice-president of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and the general secretary of the International Federation of Muaythai Associations, spoke about his own sport's journey to membership of GAISF.

FITEQ was officially granted observer status by the GAISF Council in January and is now targeting full membership.

"I think FITEQ and the whole teqball family is doing fantastic work," said Fox, in an interview with the FITEQ website. 

"It is a very fast-growing sport and federation. 

"You are very fortunate that you have both professional and financial support behind you. 

"However, at the end of the day, there is a long journey ahead but I can see and feel the vision and mission you have and you do have a very inspiring team behind you, but slow and steady wins the race."

Teqball is working hard for Olympic recognition with an achievement so far the inclusion of the sport on the Asian Beach Games programme.

"I can speak about my own sport, Muaythai, where the IF applied to become a GAISF member in 1998 but were only recognised in 2006," Fox added.

"The GAISF membership criteria is very high but there is an old saying, 'it is not the destination it is the journey and through this journey we grow and become stronger'. 

"For FITEQ, teqball is already on the Asian Beach Games programme as a medal sport, so bravo to you.

"In general, I think that FITEQ, despite being a new sport, has already showcased that through proper sport development and policies you can move quickly towards your goals.

"At the end of the day, everyone wants to be in the Olympic Movement and it is every athlete's dream to one day compete at the Olympic Games, Summer or Winter. 

"However, we all must also understand that there is only so much room in the Olympic programme, and therefore we are developing other events to ensure that athletes have the chance to compete in multi-sport Games. 

"For example, the World Urban Games saw a very successful launch last year in Budapest, and there is also the World Combat Games the World Mind Games and so on.

"So, we at the GAISF family try our best to ensure that all our members, in one way or another, have a chance to be part of multi-sport events to create opportunities for their members."