The inaugural National Teqball League tagged “Aba 2026,” sponsored by the Abia State Government, has successfully concluded with outstanding performances from athletes across 18 states in Nigeria.
Host team Abia emerged as one of the biggest winners of the tournament, with Khalid Yahaya and Funsho Saliu leading the charge. Yahaya secured victory in the men’s singles category, while the duo combined effectively to clinch gold in the men’s doubles event.
Team Rivers also delivered an impressive outing, as Musa Joshua and Gladys Abasi claimed top honours in women’s singles and mixed doubles respectively. In the women’s doubles category, Team Delta finished top of the table, further highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament.
Speaking during the finals held at the indoor hall of Aba Sports Club, the Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to sports development and continued sponsorship of sporting events.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Jane Igwe, he expressed gratitude to Governor Alex Otti for his unwavering support for sports in the state.
Ananaba commended the athletes, coaches, referees, and organisers for their roles in ensuring the success of the maiden edition, noting that Abia remains proud to host such a landmark event.
In his remarks, the President of the Nigeria Teqball Federation, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, represented by the federation’s Vice President and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Ndudi Edede, revealed plans to expand the competition’s scope. He stated that future editions would attract more states and possibly international participants, building on the success of the first edition which featured 18 states.
Edede explained that Abia was selected as host due to its relative safety and the purposeful leadership of Governor Otti, adding that the state had already received commendation from the International Teqball Federation on March 16, 2026, becoming the first in Nigeria to earn such recognition.
Also speaking, the South East representative on the board of the Teqball Federation of Nigeria, Barr.
Victoria Nlemigbo, described the tournament as more than just a competition, but a unifying platform that showcased skill, agility, and resilience among players nationwide. She praised the Abia State Government for its exceptional support and commitment to sports development.
One of the gold medallists from Team Abia, Funsho Saliu, expressed excitement over his victory, thanking Governor Otti, the Teqball Association, and fellow athletes. He disclosed that his next ambition is to compete internationally and further his career in the sport.
The tournament featured participants from across the country, including states from the South East, South South, South West, North West, North East, and North Central regions, as well as a team from Ghana, underscoring its wide appeal and growing popularity.
States from the South East includes: Abia, Imo, Enugu and Anambra. South South States were Edo, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta.
South West States were Ondo and Oyo. North West States were Kaduna and Jigawa.
North East State was Gombe and North Central States were Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau and Country Ghana.
The medallists are:
Women doubles
1 Miracle Edefa/Efemena Okeke-Delta Gold
2 Joy Enamino/ Ashara Loris-Edo Silver
3 Evans Ozioma/Chisom Agu-Enugu Bronze
Women’s Single
1 Gladys Abasi-Rivers Gold
2 Rejoice Jatau-Delta Silver
3 Joy Enamino-Edo Bronze
Men’s Single
1 Funhso Saliu-Abia Gold
2 Khalid Yahaya-Abia Silver
3 Tobi Mejedi-Abia Bronze
Mix Doubles
1 Musa Joshua/Gladys Abasi-Rivers Gold
2 Ezigbo Cornelius/Ashara Loris-Imo Silver
3 Mikel Ebenechukwu/Rejoice Jatau-Delta Bronze
Mix Doubles
1 Khalid Yahaya/Funso Saliu-Abia Gold
2 Mike Ebenechukwu (Delta)/ Sylvester Nortey-Ghana Silver
3 Musa Joshua/ Efosa Ebosa-Rivers Bronze.
