Mbale Tigers Table Tennis Club, in conjunction with Parkinson Si Buko, belatedly celebrated World Table Tennis Day on 2nd May 2026 in Mbale City, Northern Division.
Over 30 children and 30 adults attended the event, which was graced by Mr. Hannington Kabugo, Country Director of Parkinson Si Buko, and Mr. Watuulo, the Mbale City Sports Officer.
Participants included Parkinson’s patients, Para table tennis players, veteran players, as well as senior, junior, and cadet players, alongside parents of children in the club. The most outstanding aspect of the celebration was its strong reflection of the ITTF’s Tennis for All principles—universality, diversity, and inclusion. The presence of children, Para athletes, and Parkinson’s players reinforced the message of inclusion, while parents and board members highlighted the importance of diversity in organizing and participating in the 100-year celebration of table tennis (1926–2026).
A symbolic cake was shared among all participants to mark Mbale Tigers’ 33-year contribution to the sport within the 100-year global celebration. In his speech, the Parkinson Si Buko representative pledged continued collaboration with Mbale Tigers Table Tennis Club. The City Sports Officer commended the club for its consistency and promised full cooperation with Mbale City authorities.
The Board Secretary recounted the long journey of Mbale Tigers, while one parent revealed that, inspired by the club’s impressive performance and community impact, he has since established a table tennis club of his own. He also applauded the club for providing bursaries and scholarships to many children within the Mbale community.
The Executive Director expressed gratitude to the ITTF for its continued partnership with African clubs, particularly Mbale Tigers, through capacity-building programs and equipment support over the past 33 years. He also acknowledged organizations such as SIDA (Swedish International Development Agency), TWIGA, and Forum Syd for laying a strong foundation between 2003 and 2023 through the “Developing Youth Through Sports” project. Appreciation was extended to the national governing body, UTTA (2003–2013), as well as partners including STIGA and Yasaka Table Tennis companies in Sweden, Bank of Uganda, Stanbic Bank, and several universities such as Uganda Christian University, Kampala International University, Ndejje University, and Kampala University. Numerous primary and secondary schools, corporate entities, and sports legends were also recognized for their generous support.
Looking ahead, the club emphasized the need to invest in more table tennis infrastructure, including academies, equipment manufacturing, and the commercialization of the sport to align with evolving global trends.
It was also revealed that the government plans to begin funding well-established and functional clubs with clear performance records, such as Mbale Tigers Table Tennis Club.
