by Jacqueline Njeri

For the past one year ITTF Foundation has been implementing six programmes; TT4ALL, TTDreamBuilding, TT4Health, NeTTworking, PingPong Diplomacy and TTLegacy. The recently launched Dream Building Fund saw the inauguration of six projects across the world, Slum Ping Pong (SPP) in Nsambya Slum Uganda being among them.

Partnering with SPP will now enable table tennis access to three more schools where an initial turnout of 150 children can be expected.

Solidarity through table tennis

All over the world, we continue to see hardships and work through some of the biggest global challenges of our time, humanitarian assistance is an important focus of many development partners. Reducing the impact of disasters, conflicts and inequalities for affected communities call on a more wholistic approach. This requires special focus on the mental and overall wellbeing of vulnerable individuals – rebuilding again and rebuilding together.

“Being handicapped yet still playing a game I love and encouraging others – these are things I never imagined I could do”. Ibrahim Hamadtou, Paralympian

For the 2019 fifth edition of World Table Tennis Day, the ITTF Foundation celebrated in Nsambya Slum Uganda with Dream Building Fund recipient Slum Ping Pong and in Hoima district with its long-term partner HONECRIC.

The presence was to stand in solidarity with the resilient, passionate and extraordinary table tennis community and pioneers of social change. Pioneers like Amsterdam Emanuel Bazira who leads a determined team of 11 young coaches, including three young women giving table tennis lessons to children from poor and marginalized communities.

There is a story of hope, that table tennis can change lives, bring opportunities through education and life skills and transform communities. The ITTF Foundation commits to build together and to foster peace and stability, gender equality, youth development, inclusion and healthier communities through table tennis.