Rallying for Change: ITTF Foundation’s Guest Lecture at German Sport University

In July 2024, on occasion of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the ITTF Foundation had the opportunity to connect with representatives from the German Sport University Cologne (GSU, Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln), Sally-Ann Jennifer Fischer and Alana Richardson, at the “Change the Game” Global Ministerial Sport Conference hosted by UNESCO. Our discussions, around the shared commitment to Sport for Development (S4D), led to an exciting collaboration with the Institute of European Sport Development and Leisure Studies at GSU, where Fischer and Richardson work on research on S4D and social inclusion.

Bringing Table Tennis for Development to GSU

Through the collaboration, we were invited to conduct a guest lecture for students enrolled in the M.A. International Sport Development and Politics programme. Our lecture, titled Rallying for Change: Table Tennis in Action for Social Good, was delivered in the class "Fields of Action". Representing the Foundation, Julia Tappendorf and Khushal Palicha shared with the students the core ideas and practical example projects of Table Tennis for Development (TT4D).

The session blended conceptual frameworks with real-world insights, highlighting case studies that demonstrated how table tennis can address global challenges such as health, education, gender equity, and social cohesion. To make the experience more engaging, Julia and Khushal incorporated practical table tennis exercises, allowing students to explore how TT4D initiatives can be adapted and implemented in diverse communities.

Inspiring Conversations and Thoughtful Questions

The students’ enthusiasm and curiosity about the real-world TT4D projects shone throughout the session. Interesting and insightful conversations ranged from the influence of geopolitics on sport-based development initiatives to strategies for defining measurable metrics for ambitious and large-scale projects. These questions not only enriched the lecture but also underscored the importance of critical thinking and innovation in advancing S4D practices.

Strengthening the connection to advance collaborative work

We were glad to share our perspective as a sport federation-linked S4D organisation and our dedication to leveraging the power of table tennis for social change. With partners, supporters, and participants worldwide, we are building a strong S4D ecosystem that bridges the gap between global governance and grassroots initiatives.

Our visit to GSU also opened doors for further collaboration. During discussions with Dr. Karen Petry, Deputy Head of the Institute of European Sport Development and Leisure Studies, we explored opportunities to deepen our collaboration. Future initiatives may include providing GSU students with hands-on experiences through internships and collaborative master’s theses.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the GSU team for inviting us and to the students for their thoughtful engagement. This collaboration marks an important step in expanding our network and mission to build a more sustainable and inclusive world through sport together.