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How COVID-19 Impacted on The Growth of Teqball in Nigeria
The outbreak of the novel corona virus also referred to as COVID-19 has hampered the growth of Teqball in Nigeria, no doubt.
Like every other sporting activity such as European Leagues, African and Nigerian leagues as well as the postponement of 2020 Olympics till 2021, Teqball in Nigeria and globally also had its own share of the adverse effect of the virus in the country and the world at large.
Undoubtedly, Teqball is a new sport in Nigeria and the stoppage of all sporting activities in the country in March, affected the plans and programmes the administrators of the sport had this year.
Speaking with Nigeria Teqball Federation (NIGTEQ) Media Department, Rivers State Teqball Association Chairman, Chukwuemeka Agi said the outbreak of COVID-19 slowed down their programmes for the year.
“It (COVID-19) has slowed it down. Actually, you can imagine something that has not fully started and then we have to delay to ensure that people understands and observe the health protocols like social distancing and hygienic living.”
“It has delayed us by a few months but I think that we can catch up. Right now, with the schools not being in session for the young ones, we can’t involve them in any of our activities.”
“Like any other sport or any human endeavour, for the past 5-6 months, everything has virtually changed completely, so, it has affected us.”
“We’ve had the table and the equipment since December, when we finished the training, but not long after, the Covid-19 threat and of course the country was shut down,” he explained.
Is the Rivers State Teqball Association giving up on its programmes for the year?
Dr Agi was emphatic in his response, “no, never, as I said, the virus delayed us but never stopped us. We were able to do one little demonstration in January. Last week we had another demonstration and we ensured that we got various football coaches in the field.”
“About 10 football coaches were there and then we got young people who have been playing football recreationally to get involved in this very one.”
“The hope we have of building awareness is through the coaches we have got on board right now and when the schools re-open dully, we will be going to schools to tell them what the game is all about, tell them how they can get involved, with that, they can develop themselves.”
He identified one major challenge facing the development of Teqball in the country to lack of adequate Teqball tables which he quite expensive.
“One of the limitations for us for now is that we have only one Teqball table in the state. Our hope is to use the table and take it from school to school. That way, we will introduce it to young people.
“A Teqball table cost between $1,000 to $3,000 excluding shipping for different tables designs and it is obvious the table is very expensive.”
The Nigeria Teqball Federation is expecting the delivery of 56 tables which will be distributed for the already established 21 State Associations across the country. The tables will facilitate the development of the sport in the country ahead of the forthcoming 2020 Challenger Cup scheduled for October.
Featured
Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles
Joel Ajayi
At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.
Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.
What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.
Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.
In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.
Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.
“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”
She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”
The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.
Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”
For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”
Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”
Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.
Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.
Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.
With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.
Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.
“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.
He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.
“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”
Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.
“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”
He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”
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