A successful press conference held yesterday in Santarém has set the stage for the highly anticipated Challenger Teqball League – Santarém, which is scheduled to take place from August 21–23, 2025. This event will feature Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles categories, as part of the 7th stop on the 11-stage international Challenger Teqball League (CTL) calendar.

The conference brought together key figures from the local government and Teqball community, underscoring the growing relevance of the sport in the region. Among those present were João Teixeira Leite, Mayor of Santarém; Alfredo Amante, Deputy Mayor and City Councillor for Sports; Jaime Simões, captain of União Desportiva de Santarém and ambassador for the event; and Rui Marques Leitão, Member of the Executive Board of FITEQ and Head of the Local Organizing Committee.

The 2024 edition of the Santarém stage achieved record-breaking participation and media presence among Tier IV. events, marking it as a standout success. This year’s edition promises to build on that momentum, further positioning Santarém as a crucial destination for international Teqball competitions.

The press conference wasn’t just a routine media event—it was a vibrant platform for collaboration and shared vision. “Yesterday’s press conference was a real success. Everything went very well,” said Rui Marques Leitão. “Besides sharing information, we were able to reinforce our message and receive valuable feedback from the Municipality of Santarém, which clearly understands the importance of what the ‘Caixeiros’- our Teqball club - is building here. They even recognised the potential of Teqball becoming a symbolic sport for the city.”

Leitão also proposed an inspiring new idea: the creation of a “Santarém – Capital of Teqball” brand—something that would cement the city’s place in the sport’s growing international landscape. Discussions also touched on the development of an additional public Teqball facility, aiming to broaden access to the sport and encourage more community engagement.

The presence of Jaime Simões, a well-known footballer with deep roots in Santarém, brought a personal touch to the event. Simões first encountered Teqball in 2016 while playing in Cyprus, and he was one of the first local athletes to embrace the sport back in December 2020, when the project with the “Caixeiros” was launched. “It made perfect sense to have Jaime involved,” Leitão noted. “He’s not only a local sports icon, but he’s also someone who’s embraced Teqball from the start. Now that he’s returned to Santarém to finish his football career, his presence adds authenticity and inspiration to the event.”

As the countdown begins, excitement continues to build for the Challenger Teqball League’s return to Santarém. With community leaders, local heroes, and international support behind it, Teqball is rapidly becoming more than just a sport in this historic Portuguese city—it’s becoming a point of pride and identity.