Celebrating Unity and Visiting Hope: World Table Tennis Day Main Event in Kenya and Foundation’s Visit to DBF Project “Hope Kwa Vijana Mtaani”

From 22 to 25 April, the ITTF Foundation visited Nairobi, Kenya, to mark World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) 2025 on 23 April and conducted a visit to the Dream Building Fund (DBF) project Hope Kwa Vijana Mtaani, implemented by Vision Changers Kenya. Selected in 2021 and launched in 2022, the project has been dedicated to preventing juvenile crime and drug abuse, and is now approaching a successful and impactful conclusion in June 2025.

Press Conference: Setting the Stage for Celebration

The Foundation’s Kenya journey began with a press conference on 22 April, organised by Vision Changers Kenya in collaboration with the Foundation delegation. The session featured prominent stakeholders, including IOC Member and ITTF & ITTF Foundation President Petra Sörling, ITTF Foundation Governing Board Member Mr. Lei Zhenjian, ITTF Foundation Director Leandro Olvech, Vision Changers Kenya Executive Director Titus Oketch, and Kenya Table Tennis Association General Secretary Fahd Daim. All expressed enthusiasm and excitement for hosting the WTTD celebration, which brought together over 200 participants to connect, play, and celebrate through table tennis.

A Day of Unity: World Table Tennis Day at Nairobi City Hall

On 23 April, the historic Nairobi City Hall came alive with the spirit of unity as the WTTD celebration unfolded. President Sörling opened the event with a keynote address highlighting the power of sport to bring people together across borders, cultures, and all backgrounds. She emphasised the theme of 2024-2025 for the ITTF Group: Diversity & Inclusion, declaring: “Table tennis belongs to me, to you — and to all of us.”

A panel discussion followed, featuring key voices in the table tennis and sport for development. Joined by President Sörling, Kenya Table Tennis Association President Andrew Mudibo, Nairobi County Assistant Director of Sport John Baraza, Vision Changers Executive Director Titus Oketch, and project youth leader Habib Omar, the conversation centered on the various roles stakeholders play in promoting inclusion via sport, with a focus on table tennis as a tool for fostering engagement, community unity, and positive social change across different sectors.

Following the panel discussion, the celebration reached a peak with an inclusive mixed doubles tournament, spirited cultural performances, and engaging table tennis activities.

Participants, regardless of background or experience, joined in the fun, from friendly matches to storytelling, music, poetry, and theatrical performances that reflected the rich diversity of Kenyan culture.

The day closed with a heartfelt speech from the Foundation Director Leandro Olvech, who praised the collective effort that made the event possible and reaffirmed table tennis as a force for unity, understanding, and joy.

Visiting Hope on the Ground: DBF Project “Hope Kwa Vijana Mtaani”

On 24 and 25 April, the ITTF Foundation team visited the "Hope Kwa Vijana Mtaani" project in several Nairobi communities, including the Kariobangi North and Mukuru slums.

Day 1: Engaging with Youth and Planting Seeds for the Future

The Foundation team, comprising Petra Sörling, Lei Zhenjian, Leandro Olvech, Operations Manager Lina Kühlein, and Social Impact Coordinator Sara Moamen Abdelsamie, began the project visit at Nairobi City Stadium, where over 100 children and teenagers gather to play table tennis.

In Kariobangi North, we met with 30 project participants who shared how the initiative has impacted their lives by building skills, nurturing hope, and inspiring resilience.

Prior to visiting the home of one of the participants, President Sörling, Mr. Lei and Director Olvech participated in a symbolic tree planting ceremony near the project site.

This act was part of the ongoing initiative and aimed to leave a legacy of their visit, symbolising a gesture of growth, sustainability, and commitment.

While we were at the home of project participant Nicole Oduor, with a bright smile, she shared: “My biggest dream is to become a nurse by continuing my studies.”

During the visit to Mukuru, we met with approximately 25 individuals who shared their personal experiences. The project participant Josephaustine Ogutu Ochieng reflected on the project’s life-changing impact: “I couldn’t expect that table tennis could change my life. I am a better person now — I manage my finances, gain new skills, and want to help others as I was helped.”

Reflecting on the visit, President Sörling stated: “Witnessing the tangible impact of our projects firsthand is crucial. I’m delighted to see the positive effects on participants.”

The Foundation Governing Board Member Mr. Lei Zhenjian shared: “I’m glad I came to Kenya to see how Vision Changers Kenya has positively affected participants. I encourage more organisations to apply for the Dream Building Fund and create similar change.”

Day 2: Learning and Empowering through Capacity Building

On the second day, Lina Kühlein and Sara Moamen Abdelsamie conducted a capacity-building workshop titled "Table Tennis for Development".

The workshop focused on differentiating between table tennis development and sport for development, using the Five Principles of Sport for Development (S4D) to guide practice. Thirty-two participants (22 females, 10 males) actively engaged in practical sessions to reinforce their learning.

Later, we visited Nicole Adhiambo, another project participant. Nicole shared: “I joined the project to improve my skills and gain hope for the future. Thanks to the support, I secured a bank loan and now run a milk-selling business. I dream of becoming an engineer.”

Reflecting and Moving Forward

Following the community visits, the Foundation team held a comprehensive debriefing session with the Vision Changers Kenya team. The discussion focused on feedback from the WTTD celebration and project visit, analysing the project’s successes, challenges, and areas for growth. These insights will inform the ITTF Foundation’s future strategy and improve project design, implementation, and impact.

Looking back on the World Table Tennis Day celebration and the visit to the DBF project in Kenya, the experience was more than just a trip — it was a powerful reminder of sport’s ability to unite, inspire, and drive meaningful change. It reaffirmed the our mission to make table tennis accessible to everyone and to create lasting social impact through the sport. From the energetic activities at Nairobi City Hall to the heartfelt stories shared in Kenya’s urban communities, it was clear: table tennis has the power to build dreams, transform lives, and bring people together.