Team Abia has emerged champions in the Women’s Doubles event at the World Teqball Championship Qualifying Tournament in Aba.
Victor Oyemade and Efemena Ekeke won the men’s and women’s singles titles respectively to secure places at the forthcoming World Teqball Championship in Budapest, Hungary.
The competition, which ended on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the Aba Sports Club, brought together athletes from 14 states across the six geopolitical zones to compete for places at the global championship.
Abia’s Aganmuyi Omokehinde and Mariam Abdulrasheed clinched gold in the Women’s Doubles, defeating the competition to emerge champions, while Efemena Ekeke and Miracle Edafe of Delta State settled for silver.
In the Men’s Singles, Victor Oyemade emerged champion, while Ekeke claimed the Women’s Singles gold medal, with both athletes earning qualification for the World Championship.
Rivers State secured gold in the Men’s Doubles through Joshua Musa and Ikoko Andrew, while Abia’s Khalid Yahyah and Tobi Mejedi finished second to claim silver.
Delta State also dominated the Mixed Doubles, with Oyemade and Rejoice Jatau winning gold, while Abia’s Ihedioha Mcblaise and Mariam Abdulrasheed took silver.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Jane Maxwell Igwe, congratulated the medal winners and commended Governor Alex Otti for his support for sports development and youth empowerment.
He said the governor’s encouragement, sponsorship and provision of facilities has demonstrated his commitment to developing young people through sports.
“I want to thank His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, for all that he has been doing for the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development in Abia State.
“It has been a very, very wonderful time for us in the ministry. His encouragement, his sponsorship, provision and all that he has been doing for us in the ministry is showing that he is interested in the youth and youth development, youth empowerment”, Ananaba stated.
In his remarks, the President of the Nigeria Teqball Federation, Engr Habu Gumel, represented by the federation’s Vice-President and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Mr Ndudi Edede, described Abia’s hosting of the competition as a significant milestone in the development of the sport in Nigeria.
Gumel noted that Abia had become the only state to host the World Teqball Championship Qualifiers consecutively and the maiden edition of the National Teqball League in March 2026.
He also disclosed that the State was the only one to have purchased and donated Teqball equipment to support the growth of the sport in the country.
“It is therefore not out of place to say that Abia, presently, is the home of Teqball in Nigeria”, Gumel stated.
He urged other states to emulate Governor Otti’s commitment to sports development and youth empowerment, and appreciating the State Government for providing an enabling environment for the successful hosting of the championship.
The federation president also commended the 69th President of Aba Sports Club, Chief Nkene Enukeme and members of the club’s management committee for providing a suitable venue for the competition.
He said the championship offered an important platform for talent discovery, strengthening competitive structures and preparing Nigerian athletes for international competitions.
Gumel urged the successful athletes to prepare diligently for the global championship and encouraged those who did not qualify to remain focused and improve their performances.
“We encourage you to prepare diligently for the next stage. To those who did not qualify this time, do not be discouraged. Every competition is an opportunity to learn, improve and come back stronger.
“As we look forward to the World Teqball Championship, let us continue to promote unity, friendship, fair play, excellence through sports”, he said.
Also speaking, the Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, commended Governor Otti for creating an enabling environment for sports to thrive in the state.
He disclosed that the present administration had inaugurated 35 sports associations as part of efforts to expand sporting opportunities and engage young people productively.
George encouraged youths to take advantage of the growing popularity of Teqball in Abia to develop their sporting talents.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Abia State Teqball Association, Mr Frank Chilagorom Nwachi, expressed gratitude to God for the successful, injury-free and hitch-free competition and appreciated the governor for his continued support for sports and youth development.
He congratulated the athletes who qualified for the World Championship, urging them to make Nigeria proud on the international stage.
Nwachi described the competition as the beginning of greater opportunities for Teqball in Abia State.
The tournament attracted 80 athletes, 14 coaches and 13 referees from 14 states across the six geopolitical zones, with Lagos and Akwa Ibom making their debut appearances at the competition.
