The International Federation of Teqball offered athletes at the Winter EYOF the chance to try the sport ©FITEQ

The International Federation of Teqball (FITEQ) has made its presence felt here at the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Vuokatti, bringing along two teq one tables for use by athletes to promote awareness of the sport in the build-up to its European Games debut in 2023.

FITEQ has been represented by its sport development manager Daniel Koszegi and four sports instructors, offering competitors at the Festival the opportunity to try out the sport.

The Winter EYOF is organised by the European Olympic Committees (EOC), and is open to athletes aged 14 to 18.

Teqball is set to make its first appearance at the European Games in Kraków-Małopolska, the third edition of the event organised by the EOC.

The Festival in Vuokatti is the continental body's first multi-sport event held since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

FITEQ has used the opportunity to promote the sport, with the Winter EYOF viewed as an important step on the road to Kraków-Małopolska 2023.

Teqball demonstrations have featured as a side event in a prominent location at the Athletes' Village, with competitors invited to play the sport on the teq tables.

As well as showcasing teqball, Koszegi has used his visit to Vuokatti to stage meetings with various European National Olympic Committees, encouraging recognition for National Federations and demonstrating its potential at the European Games.

FITEQ's also sought to raise awareness of the sport in the host nation Finland.

It is hoped that similar demonstrations of teqball can take place at the Summer EYOF in Banská Bystrica in July.

European Games Coordination Commission Hasan Arat said "teqball is a sport based on skill, concentration and stamina" after it was admitted to the programme, and claimed "it is creating a new breed of athlete".

FITEQ's three co-founders Gábor Borsányi, Viktor Huszár and György Gattyán billed it as "a special day for the teqball family".

Teqball has proved popular in Poland, which held last year's edition of the World Championships in Gliwice in December.

Next year's European Games are scheduled for June 21 to July 2.

A Host City Contract for the Games has not yet been signed.

However, Polish President Andrzej Duda has signed an act of support and Minister of Sport and Tourism Kamil Bortniczuk a letter of intent.

EOC President Spyros Capralos has said the organisation is "confident" that it will take place as planned in Poland.