by Romina Concha Sepulveda, ITTF Foundation Consultant

Welcomed by Tim Holtam, Co-Founder and Director of the Brighton Table Tennis Club, the former African champion was invited to take part in an exhibition tournament. The event involved Pedro Santos, the club’s head coach alongside Mark Scutts, the leading player and Poland’s Karolina Pek, gold medallist in Women’s Team Class 6-10 at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

“There was so much synergy between all of us and our organisations, which was all really exciting”. Tim Holtam

Sarah Hanffou emerged as winner after beating Pedro Santos and Mark Scutts in front of a local crowd. Thanks to the exhibition match, £100 was raised for the Clock Tower Sanctuary, the one and only voluntary centre for young homeless in Brighton.

“Table tennis has this power to unite people and build bridges. The Brighton Table Tennis Club is the perfect example. In short, that was a visit that perfectly illustrates the values of the Foundation: solidarity through table tennis!” Sarah Hanffou.

In addition to the exhibition tournament, the Sarah Hanffou visited Her Majesty’s Prison High Down, where the club offers weekly sessions. She watched “Believe That”, a short documentary about the preparation of three players from Brighton Table Tennis Club who will represent their country at the European Down’s Syndrome Championships.

“The session in the prison was the highlight of the weekend. I had a great time interacting with the detainees. Table tennis can clearly help them to control themselves and allow a better social reintegration. The club is a real role model in terms of integration and the use of table tennis as a vector of inclusion and solidarity. Although I only stayed two days, I felt like I was with my family all weekend long.” Sara Hanffou

Certainly Sarah Hanffou was a most welcome guest; no doubt she will return.