The event, officially titled the China-Tanzania Friendship Hub Table Tennis Competition, was inaugurated by Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Chen Mingjian, who emphasized the power of sport to unite cultures
Dar es Salaam. The historic spirit of Ping Pong Diplomacy came alive this weekend as Tanzania and China strengthened their bilateral relations through a friendly table tennis tournament held in Dar es Salaam.
The event, officially titled the China-Tanzania Friendship Hub Table Tennis Competition, was inaugurated by Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Chen Mingjian, who emphasized the power of sport to unite cultures.
“This is the fourth time I have had the pleasure of opening this competition, and I remain tremendously excited by it,” Ambassador Chen told the gathering of dignitaries, players, and spectators.
“As table tennis is a national sport in China, we are keen to foster this kind of sporting exchange here in Tanzania.”
In her speech, the Ambassador stressed that the event was not only about competition but also about cultivating friendship.
She applauded the collaboration between the Chinese Embassy, the China Culture Centre, and the Tanzania Table Tennis Association, describing sport as a “universal language” that transcends borders and differences.
To highlight China’s long-standing passion for the sport, Ambassador Chen shared a childhood memory:
“When I was in primary school, we loved to play ping-pong,” she recalled. “The conditions were very basic back then—we didn’t have a proper table, just a concrete one, and we used a line of bricks for a net. But we still enjoyed it immensely.”
She contrasted those modest beginnings with the current prestige of the annual competition, which continues to grow in standard and participation.
Looking ahead, Chen linked the tournament to the upcoming China-Africa Year of Exchange in 2026, pledging to use diverse channels to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen cooperation in education, youth development, and beyond.
Vice Chairman of the Tanzania Table Tennis Association, Rashid Sharif, echoed the Ambassador’s sentiments, while acknowledging the sport’s challenges in Tanzania.
“Table tennis is not yet a priority sport nationally, but it is an excellent activity for all ages,” he said. “It sharpens quick thinking and decision-making and offers significant professional opportunities worldwide.”
Sharif praised the Chinese Embassy for its continued support in promoting the game locally, crediting their assistance as crucial to its survival and development in Tanzania. He also outlined a strategy to grow the sport by focusing on junior players.
“We really focus on children to make them love this sport for the sake of its future in Tanzania,” he added.
