Kenya gets tennis boost ahead of Tokyo 2020

The Kenya Table Tennis Association(KTTA) received 50 tables from San Ei Corporation of Japan, an initiative that seeks to have more girls  play table tennis as the legacy for both the Tokyo, 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games.

Speaking during the official launch of the programme; ‘Let the Girls Shine ‘ at  Mathare Youth Sports  Association (MYSA), Nairobi,  KTTA president Andrew Mudibo said the associasion is targeting  a minimum of 5,000 girls  below the age of 12 to play the sport by 2020.

A total of 16 tables will be distributed to schools in underprivileged areas around Nairobi, that are part of the girls project, while four will be at Mathere Youth (MYSA) (which will be the headquaters of the programme,). The remaining 30 will be distributed around the country.

“Through Sports For Tomorrow, Japan is targeting 10 million people in developing countries, to leave a legacy for the Games all over the world and in Kenya they settled on the girls table tennis project in underprivileged areas as one of them.

“Our target is to field more players in the sport and it is our prayer and hope that a girl from this programme will make it for the Olympics Games. A lot has to be done in terms of equipment, it is not enough but it’s a step forward to the intended target,” said Mudibo.

Mudibo added that each region that will receive a table will sign a contract to ensure that they are being put into proper use.

As part of the long term partnership, Shin Miura, the President of San Ei Corporation said that they are ready to send experts to the country to teach locals on how to make the tables creating employment opportunities.

He further stated that they are willing and will continue to work closely with Kenya Table Tennis Association to achieve milestones for the girls initiative and growth of table tennis in Kenya.

The Japanese Embassy, represented by first secretary Seiji Teshiro, pointed out that the country has a lot of potential in the sport after engaging some girls in friendly matches.

“As the embassy of the Japan we would like to collaborate with the Kenyan Government to see the sport grow.One of the girls I played against was very good. I hope she could qualify for the Games soon,” said Teshiro.

For 10 year old Jane Campbell  of Moi Air Base Primary School,  on of the beneficiaries of the programme could hardly hide her exciment after receiving the tables.

“I’m happy that I can be able to access proper equipment for  training. Ever since i was introduced to the sport by my friend  Ann Marie while i was in class four, while I was just eight  years, fell in love with it and wanted to learn more. Ann is now abroad playing the table tennis and I want to be like her. I hope to represent my country one day at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and in any other international events, ” said Campbell.