OSAKA - Teqball, a sport combining elements of soccer and table tennis, will make its Asian Games debut when the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games open in September, giving Japan's players a major opportunity to raise the profile of a discipline that has so far attracted relatively little attention domestically.
The sport is played using a soccer ball and a curved table, with competitors relying on ball control and technique rather than the extensive running required in conventional soccer. Teqball previously drew attention in Japan after members of the national soccer team were seen enjoying it between training sessions at the FIFA World Cup.
One Japanese representative said the team's goal is to win medals while recognizing the responsibility that comes with representing the country. The player said the team hopes to produce performances that can also give courage to others.
Another player, who is 40, said one attraction of teqball is that it can be played seriously even at an age when many soccer players have already retired. Because the sport does not require players to cover large distances, he said people approaching 50 also compete, making it suitable both for serious competition and lighter exercise.
He added that sustained rallies are one of the sport's biggest attractions.
Japan's representatives also hope success at the Asian Games will help expand awareness of teqball at home. One player said winning as many medals as possible could generate appearances in the media and newspapers, lead to the sport being introduced at events, and gradually increase the number of participants.
Players say teqball's appeal lies in the direct contest of individual technique, particularly ball control, as well as the fast-paced exchanges between opponents.
One competitor said the immediate objective at the Asian Games is clear: to win the championship and finish first. Producing results, the player said, would also serve as a way of giving back to supporters and could provide a goal for people who take up the sport in the future.
The player also expressed hope that the number of women participating in teqball will continue to grow.
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Source: Newsonjapan.com
