Teqball could feature more footballers in future in Senegal ©FITEQ

Modou Gueye Seck, vice-president of the Senegalese Teqball Federation (STF), has claimed the sport can be used to hoover up football talent who cannot break through.

As in most of Africa, football is the most popular sport in Senegal, with the nation producing some of the most-famous players on the continent, including Liverpool striker Sadio Mané and Napoli centre back Kalidou Koulibaly.

Seck believes that those who do not make the cut can transfer their skills into teqball.

"I have been involved in soccer for several years and I know that it is very difficult to break into this discipline because the demand is relatively much stronger than the supply, we will say," Seck told Africanews.

"And today, these young people who cannot break through in soccer have an opportunity to develop their potential in teqball."

Teqball was only introduced in Senegal in 2019, but is already making progress through its reigning men's champion Mame Cheikh Fam.

In February, Fam confirmed his spot in the singles and doubles at the 2021 Teqball World Championships at the National Challenger Series in Mbour.

Although the likes of Sadio Mané made it in football, the STF are looking to capture footballers who did not make it ©Getty Images
Although the likes of Sadio Mané made it in football, the STF are looking to capture footballers who did not make it ©Getty Images

Fam is ranked eighth in the singles world rankings and is also set to compete in the doubles competition with his partner Pape Makhtar Diaw, having won in the final of the National Challenger Series too.

"For now, I am well in teqball because it has brought me many things," added Fam.

"It is thanks to teqball that people know me.

"For now, I feel like a professional teqball player.

"Every day I dream of representing Senegal at the World Cup and why not continue my career there."

The 2021 Teqball World Championships are yet to have a confirmed scheduled date or location.