Khel: Sport and Dignity for Every Child

The table tennis programme at Khel has entered an exciting new phase, one defined by outreach, community energy, and a deliberate effort to grow the next generation of players from within Machar Colony.

Expanding the Reach: Community Camps: This quarter, Khel organised table tennis camps designed to bring the sport directly to young people in the community who had not yet found their way to the programme. The camps served as both an introduction to the sport and a recruitment ground, drawing in participants who were curious, competitive, and eager to be part of something. Thirty young people attended the camps, experiencing structured training, peer interaction, and the simple but powerful feeling of being taken seriously as athletes.

From Camp to Team: A Pathway Built on Merit: The camps were designed with purpose. The strongest performers from the thirty participants will be recruited into the active programme, joining the ten girls already training regularly with the table tennis team. This merit pathway sends a clear message to young people in Machar Colony: there is a place for you here, and it is earned through effort and commitment.

Ten Girls, One Team: The core girls table tennis team continues to grow in skill and confidence. With a female coach who is herself an Imkaan alumna, the sessions remain a space where technical development and personal confidence go hand in hand. Her presence continues to be the single most powerful factor in drawing older girls into the sport, breaking cultural hesitation one session at a time.

Looking Ahead: As the best performers from the camps are identified and welcomed into the team, the programme is building something more than a roster. It is building a culture of sport in a community where sport was never assumed to be for everyone. We look forward to sharing the stories of the newest Khel table tennis players in the months ahead.