"I will send South African rugby sevens coaches to China," said South African Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, "because we have the best sevens rugby coaches in the world." Minister McKenzie made the pledge publicly in the presence of the Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, during the handover ceremony of table tennis equipment donated to the South African Table Tennis Board (SATTB) by the General Administration of Sport of China and the China Table Tennis Association at Freedom Park in Pretoria.
"Thanks to your strong leadership and the combined efforts of your colleagues, the table tennis equipment donated by China was successfully handed over today," Ambassador Wu Peng said. "I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere respect to all friends who have long been committed to promoting the continued and healthy development of China-South Africa relations."
Ambassador Wu elaborated on the popularity of table tennis in China and referred to it as the national sport of the country. He highlighted its accessibility to people of all ages and genders, a factor that has contributed to China's remarkable success in the sport.
Strengthening sports ties
Mr. Joe Carim, President of SATTB, expressed his heartfelt thanks for the donation of 200 tables, 800 bats and 20,000 balls. He stressed that this generous donation will significantly support the growth and development of table tennis in South Africa. Carim reflected on the challenging apartheid era when the sport faced many obstacles and contrasted it with his experience in China where table tennis is deeply embedded in the culture. He praised this act of sports diplomacy for uniting the two nations.
Freedom Park is a memorial to the people of South Africa and beyond who made the ultimate sacrifice for the liberation of the country, she explained Jane Mufamadi, CEO of Freedom Park. It is a tribute to those South Africans past, present and future who bring recognition and appreciation to the nation. Mufamadi referred to the ancient kingdom of Mapungubwe in Limpopo province where evidence of China's earliest interactions with Africa have been found.
Global Table Tennis Scene
In 2023, South Africa hosted the World Table Tennis Championships in Durban, marking the return of the competition to the African continent after 84 years. During this historic event were Chinese players Sun Yingsha and Fan Zhendong crowned world champions in table tennis, further cementing the global appeal of the sport and China's dominance in it.
Project 350: Expanding South Africa's Olympic ambitions
Minister McKenzie used the occasion to unveil his ambitious 350 project, which aims to expand the South African Olympic team to 350 athletes by the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. As a member of the Government of National Unity (GNU), McKenzie described the GNU as "the best thing that could have happened to my country". The minister also acknowledged delays in the delivery of SATTB equipment, citing bureaucratic hurdles, and apologised for the year-long wait.
McKenzie, who openly confided his past as a convicted criminal, expressed his excitement about serving as minister. He highlighted the transformative role of sport and recreation and said: "A child in sport is a child off the court". He reiterated his commitment to reposition the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture to better serve its mission.
Champions Ceremony
The ceremony was also attended by the South African national table tennis champion Chetan Nathoo and the vice-president of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), Hajra Kajee. Their presence indicates the importance of this initiative in strengthening the South African sporting environment.
This handover of table tennis equipment symbolizes more than a mere gift; it is a testament to the power of mutual diplomacy through sport. By fostering mutual respect and cooperation, South Africa and China continue to build bridges that go beyond sporting rivalries and enrich both nations culturally and socially.
Kirtan Bhana
PHOTO - TDS
TDS/ gnews - RoZ
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