by Julia Tappendorf, ITTF Foundation – Global Programmes and Operations Co-ordinator
Sport Business Awards, established by Sports Business Journal and Sports Business Daily, declared our nomination in the categories “Best Club CSR or Community Scheme” with our Dream Building Fund (DBF) 2019 project Slum Ping Pong and “Best Sports Governing Body Initiative” with our TT4Health pilot project ITTF Parkinson’s World Table Tennis Championships (PWTTC).
Slum Ping Pong is one of our six successful candidates of the 2019 DBF. The project, developed in Kampala, Uganda, works on providing table tennis classes regularly to slum children under the age 16 and for those with the best attitude and performance, scholarships to cover their school fees and lunches. Additionally, they educate children about drug abuse, equality, social awareness, and tolerance through table tennis.
In this category, our Ugandan non-profit organisation is shortlisted together with four football organisations and one health-oriented organisation, all from England.
History making initiative
The 2019 PWTTC was the first ever international tournament for people suffering from Parkinson’s, held at the Westchester Table Tennis Center in Pleasantville, New York, USA. This unique and historic project showed an amazing spirit among the players and that it was community at its best.
Everyone went home with a big portion of unified hope and ideas to better promote the effects of table tennis for people with Parkinson’s.
“With this pilot project we were able to provide an opportunity for persons with Parkinson’s to build their social network and exchange ideas and experiences. I am very honoured that not only our Foundation and hard work is recognised with this nomination – It symbolizes the appreciation of raising awareness of Parkinson’s disease and that table tennis can truly be played by everyone despite physical ability. This pilot event has been hosted by Ping Pong Parkinson New York but after its tremendous success, it will become a yearly gathering, next time in Berlin. The positive outcomes for the players are not only physically related, it also promotes their socializing and brings them a motivation to play during the year, hopefully more and more people join the movement.” Leandro Olvech, ITTF Foundation Director
Further nominations
The other nominees in the “Best Sports Governing Body Initiative” are: Big Stadium Hockey – England Hockey, Project Rugby – Premiership Rugby, Swim England Disney Inspired Family Fun Swim Sessions, The Football Association and World Sailing.
We take this opportunity to congratulate all the other finalists and thank the Sport Business Awards for our nomination. We look forward to Wednesday 16th December when the winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at the Brewery London.
Get inspired by Jens Greve’s story, who is a table tennis player diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease!
