In a landmark initiative to boost Teqball development in the Middle East, world number one and two-time World Champion Apor Gyorgydeak has joined forces with international stars Marek Pokwap and Szabolcs Ilyes in Iraq, where they are training the country's youth team ahead of the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain — and the Romanian champion says he’s been “amazed” by the talent, passion, and humility of the young Iraqi athletes.

The trio is in Iraq to help prepare the Iraqi youth national team for the upcoming Asian Youth Games, which will be held in Bahrain from October 22 to 31. The tournament is expected to showcase the best-emerging talent in Asian Teqball, and Iraq appears to be gearing up with great determination.

"We were welcomed very warmly. The people here are extremely kind and respectful," Apor said. "The environment is excellent, and the Iraqi leadership is doing everything they can to ensure we have the best possible conditions. It’s great to see how seriously they take Teqball.

The Iraqi Teqball Federation, led by Dr. Safaa Sahib, has reportedly made significant strides in developing the sport locally. Apor highlighted the federation's facilities "They have a great base with their own training hall where they can train anytime. There’s an office and everything you need—it’s clear how committed their leader Dr. Safaa Sahib is to making Iraqi Teqball a top contender."

Beyond training, the visit also included a referee course, which saw over 20 new officials joining the Teqball family, signalling a broader and more professional framework for the sport in the country.

Apor, Pokwap, and Ilyes focused on working with Iraqi youth, and Apor didn’t hide his enthusiasm about what he saw: "We came to prepare the young athletes for the Asian Youth Games, but I was honestly surprised by how talented they are. They literally amazed me—motivated, ambitious, eager to learn and do everything exactly as we demonstrate. It’s rare to see such hunger to learn nowadays."

One of the key outcomes of the mission was the official cooperation agreement between GOBEK—the most decorated Teqball club globally—and the Iraqi Teqball Federation. The agreement establishes a long-term partnership that includes regular training camps and joint participation in international events hosted by both sides.

GOBEK’s club leader Szabolcs Ilyes, a multiple world silver and bronze medallist, expressed his enthusiasm for the new collaboration:

"We are excited to start a new chapter in our life and share the Teqball knowledge we developed and gathered through our journey."

He also praised the young athletes for their attitude and discipline: "They are humble and respectful, and I really hope this is just the beginning. I believe we’ll continue this collaboration. A very good relationship has formed within the team, and I’m happy to be part of this project and help these young athletes."

As Teqball continues to grow globally, Iraq seems to be laying down strong foundations for its youth to excel on the international stage. With mentors like Apor Gyorgydeak, Marek Pokwap, and Szabolcs Ilyes guiding the way, the future of Iraqi Teqball looks promising.