FITEQ wants to establish a recognised national federation for teqball in Russia ©FITEQ

The International Teqball Federation (FITEQ) welcomed a team of Russian Football Union representatives to the FITEQ headquarters in Budapest to discuss the development of teqball and Para teqball in Russia.

FITEQ President Gábor Borsányi met with former Russian international footballer Aleksey Smertin, as well as Evgenii Gavronin and Vladislav Smertin. 

Discussions were mainly focused on the future of teqball and establishing a national federation for the sport in the country.  

The Russian Football Union has played a major role in popularising teqball and Para teqball in the country. 

However, FITEQ believes that it is time to set up a recognised national federation for teqball to efficiently manage the development of the sport.

Former Russian footballer Aleksey Smertin was among those who attended the meeting in Budapest ©Getty Images
Former Russian footballer Aleksey Smertin was among those who attended the meeting in Budapest ©Getty Images

After the meeting, a team of FITEQ instructors organised a showcasing of teqball and Para teqball to help the Russian Football Union members understand the technical aspects of the sport.

"I was very pleased with today’s meeting with our friends from Russia," said FITEQ President Gábor Borsányi.

"Teqball and Para teqball’s popularity continues to grow throughout Russia, and the natural next step is to establish a National Teqball Federation.

"Our friends at the Russian Football Union have the expertise and experience of how to operate a national sports federation very effectively, and we are very grateful for their interest in helping the world’s fastest growing sport reach young athletes and sports fans across Russia."