China’s support commended at table tennis competition in Burundi

BUJUMBURA, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) — China received praises from the Burundi Table Tennis Federation on Friday at the end of a two-day table tennis competition dubbed “Sino-Burundian Friendship Cup” in the Burundian commercial capital of Bujumbura.
The competition, organized by the Chinese Embassy in Burundi in cooperation with the Association of Chinese Companies in Burundi and the Burundi Table Tennis Federation, brought together Burundian and Chinese table tennis players.
“This two-day event is an eloquent sign of China’s commitment to building the capacity of our players. We would like our players, coaches, and referees to participate in training in China again, as they did before the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Jean de Dieu Ntirenganya, vice-chairman of the Burundi Table Tennis Federation.
Ntirenganya also said the Chinese Embassy in Burundi had just offered the federation some equipment, including a table tennis table, table tennis bats, balls, and two ball launcher robots, stressing that he is grateful for the aid.
Zhao Shangshang, chief of the economic section at the Chinese Embassy in Burundi, who represented the Chinese ambassador at the event, said sports gather people and lead them to peaceful harmony.
“Table tennis is a good example. It’s a bridge of friendship and communication between China and Burundi,” Zhao said.
She said China will continue to intensify cooperation with Burundian stakeholders to diversify sports activities and the professional training of Burundian players and athletes in China in the future, contributing to the development of sports and tourism in Burundi and reinforcing ties between both peoples.
Boys and girls from four age categories, including minors, cadets, juniors, and seniors, participated in the table tennis competition; 12 boys and 12 girls won prizes, including trophies, certificates, medals, and money. ■