Chance of a Lifetime for Two Young South Africans
October 19, 2007

Coach Bheki Khumalo with two of his most talented players Sbusiso Mkhwanazi and Kenneth Gwebu. Photo By: Glenn Tepper

Courtesy of ITTF Butterfly, one of the major sponsors of the ITTF World Cadet Challenge, has also left a lasting legacy in a financially disadvantaged region of South Africa. Two young boys, Sbusiso Mkhwanazi and Kenneth Gwebu together with their unemployed, but hard working coach, Bheki Khumalo from Embalenhle have been funded by Butterfly to attend the World Cadet Challenge Training Camp and to observe the competition.

Two Chosen to Go to Cape Town
Cape Town is 1.600km and a world away from Embalenhle, for the talented but somewhat overawed youngsters. The Embalenhle region was targeted by Butterfly and South Africa Table Tennis Board as having a hard working coach with talented juniors in a financially disadvantaged area.

Over 40 juniors from Embalenhle have just completed a one week training camp, and also received new rackets, racket covers, tracksuits, shirts, socks, and more balls than they knew existed, all courtesy of Butterfly.

Following the training camp, two talented cadets, who already are South Africa Junior Championship medalists, were selected to attend the World Cadet Challenge Training Camp.

Fundraising with a T-Shirt Auction
"I am so excited to see how the best players in the world play, so I can learn more about them" said an excited, Kenneth Gwebu. Sbusiso Mkhwanazi added: "I want to see their game strategies and techniques so we can adopt them here. We will never forget the chance Butterfly has given us."

The funds were raised through a Butterfly’s Charity Auction in which the original clothing of Kong Linghui, Timo Boll, Jun Mizutani, Seiya Kishikawa and other Japanese players in Germany were sold.

Smiling faces with new equipment.

Over U.S. $6,500 was raised but with equipment donated the total was much closer to U.S. $10,000. ITTF Director of Development Programs, Glenn Tepper conducted the training camp himself as his airfare and salary were already covered ensuring 100% of the funds went directly to the intended recipients.

Coach: "Opportunity at the right time"
Coach Bheki Khumalo commented: "We are deeply indebted to Butterfly for this opportunity. I saw the world’s best players wearing Butterfly and I never dared to dream that my players could be dressed from head to toe in Butterfly."

And Khumalo continued: "This will make a big difference to our players. This opportunity has come at the right time, as our juniors are improving a lot, and it is a great chance to see and train with the best cadets in the world."

The World Cadet Challenge training camp is from October 19th to 22nd, while the World Cadet Challenge and World Junior Circuit finals are from October 23rd to 28th.

Participants salute from the training camp.