Serving Hope and Unity through Table Tennis: A Testament of Inclusion on World Refugee Day

Today, on World Refugee Day, we take a moment to reflect on the millions of people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or disaster. The ITTF Foundation keeps standing in unwavering solidarity with refugees and displaced individuals everywhere. For years, we have championed refugee inclusion through the unifying power of table tennis. Through our core programmes and initiatives, we aim to create inclusive spaces, strengthen communities, and empower individuals, regardless of their origin or status.

Celebrations for Inclusivity and Solidarity

This year’s World Table Tennis Day (WTTD), with its ongoing theme of Diversity & Inclusion, offered another testament of how sport can break down barriers and unite people together. Out of 845 registered events celebrated on 23 April, 22 events in 17 countries and territories specifically involved or targeted refugees and displaced individuals—including in Australia, Austria, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Estonia, Finland, France, Ghana, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Peru, Portugal, and Zambia. In total, more than 3,000 participants of diverse abilities, gender identities, and backgrounds took part.

One of the inspiring examples came from Nepal, where Laxman Nepali, a WTTD 2025 Promoter, organised a welcoming and inclusive event in Kathmandu. Laxman’s inclusive table tennis tournament brought together 89 participants, including displaced individuals, refugees, people with disabilities, and able-bodied players, all sharing the same energy and love for the game.

“Refugees and displaced people are not just part of our community; they are the most important part of it. Inclusion is not a luxury; it’s the foundation for a better and more peaceful world,” said Laxman Nepali.

The event created a platform of belonging and hope. From native-born Nepalese to those who now call Nepal home, everyone showed that ability and identity don’t limit dreams.

Reflection & Road Ahead

While we cheer for these inspiring moments, we also acknowledge a challenge: the overall percentage of WTTD events involving refugees dropped this year. This serves not only as a reminder of the work that still lies ahead, but also as a call to action for the global table tennis community to come together and strive to improve the status quo.

Beyond WTTD, our commitment to supporting displaced individuals continues through other key initiatives:

• Through the Dream Building Fund, we’ve supported projects specifically targeting refugees, such as Points that Tear Down Barriers in Ecuador and PingPongAlkmaar in the Netherlands. Currently, our active DBF project Rising Stars in Iran continues this mission by empowering displaced girls and women from Afghanistan through inclusive and empowering table tennis activities.
• Our World Table Tennis for Health Festival remains open and welcoming. We are actively recruiting participants, including refugees, living with Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s diseases, ensuring they are part of this global celebration of health and inclusion through sport.

As we mark World Refugee Day, we are reminded that everyone deserves a place at the table—not only in sport, but in society as a whole. At the ITTF Foundation, we believe table tennis is a powerful tool for change, unity, and hope. We will continue rallying for a future where no one is left behind by displacement, and we invite everyone to join us in this movement!