The table tennis image is clean in Kenya

Sport for the vast majority is not something that makes one a millionaire whether that that be in English Pounds, American Dollars or Mexican Pesos.

It is something that is done for enjoyment and in many cases to enable a healthy lifestyle to be pursued. Therefore, surely it seems to be quite an anomaly that sport should subject itself to situations where the question of health comes into the equation.

Furthermore should sport not be the vehicle that sets the parameters for healthy living?

The question of glue has been high on the agenda in recent years and solutions have been found with highly sophisticated testing equipment now available.

Leading the Way

Well, that would most certainly seem to be the situation in Kenya where Jane Pinto, a member of the ITTF Board of Directors is leading the way.

She is a dedicated both to the task of making sure that table tennis is a clean sport and also that the environment is protected.

Under Pressure

"Although Kenya is famous for our national parks, they are unfortunately under great pressure due to the growing needs of our large population," explained Jane Pinto. "Especially now, given the high petroleum prices, more people are resorting to cutting down trees to use for fuel; the destruction of forests then triggers a series of other environmental problems from soil erosion to the reduction of our flora and fauna."

The national parks are close to the heart of Jane Pinto with her company Micato Safaris organizing never to be forgotten visits to see the wonders of the natural habitat.

Green Africa Foundation

"Therefore, the Kenya Table Tennis Association has decided that it's important for us to be part of the solution, and we have teamed up with the Green Africa Foundation," continued Jane Pinto.

The Africa Foundation is a Kenyan organisation founded in 2000 to support ecological and environmental conservation with a particular focus in arid and semi arid lands of Kenya where poverty is most prevalent. The Foundation focuses on capacity development of poor communities through a partnership approach that integrates environmental conservation and community livelihoods.

Trees

"At every tournament we have pledged to plant fifty to one hundred young trees to counter the deforestation that's taking place all over Kenya; this is good for our planet but also good to educate our youth that table tennis in Kenya is not just a sport but also a 'clean' sport."

It is a very positive move, a fine example.

(Credit: ITTF. Click here for further information.)