By Damilola Abiola
A Cameroonian refugee based in Ogoja, Cross River State, Solange Ngonda Tibesa, has been selected as one of 30 global promoters for the 2025 edition of the World Table Tennis Day (WTTD), supported by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).
Solange, who works with Save the Children and coaches netball at the Adagom 3 refugee camp, will be representing Nigeria at the global grassroots event scheduled for April 23, 2025. She is the only selected promoter from Nigeria and will join 29 other representatives from 27 countries across five continents.
According to the ITTF, “30 promoters were selected for World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) 2025. Representing 27 countries and territories across all 5 continents. These passionate individuals will play a pivotal role in uniting communities and sharing the joy of table tennis.”
Out of a record 160 applicants, Solange stood out for her community-driven proposal. She revealed that the celebration in Ogoja will be hosted across three refugee camps: Adagom 1, Adagom 3, and Ukende, with over 1,000 participants expected.
“We plan to spice the event with table tennis challenges, live music, health and well-being talks, and some light refreshments for the spectators,” she told our reporter during a phone interview.
Solange emphasized the transformative power of sport, saying, “As an experienced community worker, I know the important role sports can play in bringing people together and giving them the opportunities to compete under set rules, in a respectful manner. We hope to use table tennis to reach out to my fellow Cameroonians and members of our host community in Ogoja.”
The ITTF will provide financial assistance, capacity-building resources, and personalized support to all promoters, ensuring their initiatives align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
Solange also expressed gratitude to the Community Sports and Educational Development (CSED) Initiative for drawing her attention to the WTTD 2025 opportunity. “I sincerely thank CSED for encouraging me to apply. Without their support, this wouldn’t have been possible,” she said.