The Indian quadball community took a major step forward this March with the country’s first official quadball seminar, held on March 21st in Jind, Haryana. Organized by the newly established Indian National Governing Body (NGB) and supported by the IQA Development Fund, the event brought together students, local leaders, and athletes for a full day of learning, collaboration, and celebration of the sport.
Introducing Quadball to a New Generation
Hosted at Arya Vidya Mandir School, the event welcomed over 100 students and teachers who had the chance to learn about quadball through a live demonstration featuring volunteer athletes from nearby schools. Organized by the NGB in partnership with school officials, the session served as an introduction to the fundamentals of the sport and its growing global community.
The seminar was directed by Athilesh Thanigai, a key figure in the development of quadball in India. Athilesh was a player on Team India during the 2023 IQA World Cup — a team formed by athletes of Indian heritage before the creation of the NGB — and is now the Technical Coach of the newly established governing body. A current USQ member, Athilesh led the seminar sessions, guided both athletes and staff, and helped ensure the accuracy and clarity of materials presented. His parents also played an essential role, supporting live translation efforts over the course of the day.
Throughout the day, participants explored the rules of the game, observed matches, and took part in activities designed to build excitement and understanding around quadball. Several local figures also joined the event to speak with students and share messages about the power of sport to inspire confidence, discipline, and opportunity.
A Milestone for Indian Quadball
With the 2025 World Cup approaching, this seminar marks an exciting moment for quadball in India — not only in preparing future athletes, but also in building stronger local structures for training and development. Members of the Indian NGB, including organizers and coaches, used the occasion to strengthen their coaching practices and plan for future activities across the region.
Thanks to the support of the IQA Development Fund, the team was also able to acquire new materials and begin preparations for building proper equipment, ensuring that the sport can continue growing in a sustainable and safe way. This support was made possible through a funding request submitted by the Indian NGB and coordinated by Athilesh. The IQA approved the request as a justified exception, recognizing both the urgency and the potential of this development work, even before India held full membership status.
Looking Ahead
India’s quadball journey has been shaped by determination, creativity, and community effort. This first seminar is just the beginning of a promising new chapter — one that shows how far the sport can go when knowledge, tools, and passion come together.
