The African Youth Training Camp has concluded after an energising seven days in Cairo, Egypt, connecting 55 enthusiastic players from across the continent in a celebration of table tennis. From 14 to 20 October 2023, this exceptional camp was made possible through a collaborative effort by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA), and the Egypt Table Tennis Federation (ETTF).
Participants went on a transformative journey, benefitting from intensive training, specialised guidance, and exposure to world-class playing styles. This comprehensive experience has sharpened the skills of these young athletes, preparing them for a significant presence on the global stage.
An important factor in this initiative’s success was Team China, well-known throughout the world for their table tennis prowess. For the young African players, Team China’s depth of experience and knowledge left a lasting impression. For African talents, their involvement in the African Youth Training is revolutionary. With their abundance of expertise and mentorship, Team China has guided, mentored, and motivated young African players, strengthening their abilities, and fostering their potential.
The African Youth Camp stands as a testament to ITTF Development’s unwavering dedication to fostering long-term growth worldwide, ensuring the prosperous development of table tennis. In perfect alignment with the ITTF’s strategic plan, which emphasizes collaboration with Member Associations, the aim of such initiatives is to establish an enduring legacy characterized by improved table tennis infrastructure, increased player opportunities, and a strengthened network of empowered coaches.
“I consider this to be a huge success and compelling evidence of the enduring solidarity within the world of table tennis. Before our eyes, we are witnessing the exchange of knowledge in sports among young players and their coaches, representing a record-breaking thirteen countries. What we have here is an exceptional developmental initiative, driven by a deep commitment to advancing the game of table tennis. This initiative is a testament to the dedication of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, in partnership with the ITTF Development program and the African Table Tennis Federation, to foster the growth of the sport.” – Mikael Andersson, ITTF Group Sports Director
The crucial involvement of ATTF and ETTF, who served as camp hosts, merits special mention. Their unwavering dedication to advancing the sport in the region was palpable. This camp was an expansion of Egypt’s dedication to the sport, cementing Egypt’s position as a regional hub for table tennis.
As we celebrate the conclusion of this remarkable event, the momentum in youth table tennis continues to grow. In a testament to China and ITTF’s commitment to expanding the sport’s reach beyond China, another groundbreaking global youth training camp is on the horizon. From 6 to 18 December 2023, the National Key Table Tennis Training School in Chengdu will be the epicenter of a unique international fourteen-day training setup, jointly presented and managed by ITTF High Performance and the Chinese Table Tennis Association. This extraordinary event will bring together up to 80 players; Continental U15 youth champions, high-ranking U15 players, and their Chinese hosts for two weeks of intensive and high-level training. Head coaches and assistant coaches from China, together with ITTF High Performance Elite Coach Massimo Costantini, will lead this transformative experience.
Registration is open, and aspiring participants are reminded that the entry deadline for the camp is 6 November 2023. For further details, please refer to the Prospectus.