Reciprocal Diplomacy - Table Tennis and Sevens Rugby
By Kirtan Bhana
27 November 2024
"I will send South African Rugby Sevens coaches to China," declared South Africa's Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, "because we have the best Sevens coaches in the world." Minister McKenzie made this pledge publicly in the presence of Ambassador Wu Peng of China to South Africa during the handover ceremony at Freedom Park in Pretoria of table tennis equipment gifted by the General Administration of Sport of China and the Chinese Table Tennis Association to the South African Table Tennis Board (SATTB).
“Thanks to your strong leadership and the joint efforts of your colleagues, the table tennis equipment donated by China has been successfully handed over today,” said Ambassador Wu Peng. “I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere respect to all the friends who have long been committed to promoting the sustained and healthy development of China-South Africa relations.”
Ambassador Wu elaborated on the popularity of table tennis in China, describing it as the country's national sport. He highlighted its accessibility to people of all ages and genders, a factor that has contributed to China’s remarkable achievements in the sport.
Strengthening Sporting Ties
Mr. Joe Carim, President of the SATTB, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the donation of 200 tables, 800 bats, and 20,000 balls. He emphasized that this generous contribution would significantly enhance the growth and development of table tennis in South Africa. Carim reflected on the challenging era of apartheid when the sport faced many obstacles, contrasting it with his experience in China, where table tennis is deeply ingrained in the culture. He praised this act of sporting diplomacy for uniting the two nations.
Freedom Park is a monument to the people of not just South Africa who made the ultimate sacrifice to free the country, explained Jane Mufamadi, CEO of Freedom Park. It is a tribute to those South Africans past, present and future that bring acknowledgment and recognition to the nation. Mufamadi referred to ancient Mapungubwe Kingdom in Limpopo province where evidence of China’s earliest interaction with Africa were found.
A Global Stage for Table Tennis
READ ALSO: Table tennis: Sun Yingsha, Fan Zhendong crowned world champions in Durban
In 2023, South Africa hosted the World Table Tennis Championships in Durban, marking the competition’s return to the African continent after 84 years. China's Sun Yingsha and Fan Zhendong were crowned World Table Tennis Champions during this historic event, further cementing the sport’s global appeal and China’s dominance in it.
Project 350: Expanding South Africa’s Olympic Ambitions
Minister McKenzie used the occasion to outline his ambitious Project 350, which aims to grow South Africa’s Olympic team to 350 athletes by the 2028 Los Angeles Games. 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 delivering the equipment to SATTB, citing bureaucratic hurdles, and apologized for the year-long wait.
McKenzie, who has openly shared his past as a convicted criminal, expressed his excitement about serving as Minister. He highlighted the transformative role of sports and recreation, stating, “A child in sport is a child out of court.” He reiterated his commitment to realigning the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture to better serve its mission.
A Ceremony of Champions
South African National Table Tennis Champion Chetan Nathoo and South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) Vice President Hajra Kajee were also present at the ceremony. Their presence indicates the significance of this initiative in strengthening South Africa’s sports landscape.
This handover of table tennis equipment symbolizes more than just a gift, it is a testament to the power of reciprocal diplomacy through sports. By fostering mutual respect and collaboration, South Africa and China continue to build bridges that extend beyond athletic competition, enriching both nations culturally and socially.