Table Tennis:Cameroonian athletes on scholarship in China

Some three Cameroonian table tennis athletes are currently in Hangzhou- China for a one month training camp.

The athletes were offered a scholarship by the Chinese embassy in Yaoundé. At the sendoff ceremony for the athletes at the Brasseries Club in Yaoundé, the president of the Table Tennis Federation, Alfred Bagueka, called on the athletes to work hard during the training camp and be of exemplary conduct so that other Cameroonians could also benefit from the scholarship programme.

He said they will be expected to share their experience with their friends upon their return to the country. The representative of the Minister of Sports and Physical education, Evehe Divine, reiterated the message of disciplined, calling on the athletes to give Cameroon honour by their conduct and performance.

It is not the first time China is offering scholarships to Cameroonian table tennis lovers. Eight coaches have so far been trained in China and the Chinese embassy in Yaoundé has been sponsoring the table tennis ambassador’s cup every year since 2008.

However, it is the first time they are benefitting from this scholarship scheme reserved for youth under the age of 18. The shortlisted athletes in this maiden scholarship comprising Ndikum, Nguepi Dimitri and Bissoko Gilaine, had to be tested by the ambassador and close aides before being selected.