Mbale Tigers : Background information

The project Laupa-Luning Table Tennis Project (LLTTP) started in Ferbruary 2003. The initiative came from Stefan Laupa and Joel Lüning during a field study in Mbale, Uganda.

During the study Stefan and Joel met Mbale Tigers Table Tennis Club. People with same ambitions started to work together. The main goal is to establish the first table tennis academy in Africa, in Mbale, Uganda. In May 2003 the co-operation became a project in Twiga.

The co-operation has been successful. Forum Syd has given support since 2005 to 2009. The project is a “developing project with an own contribution of 10 %”. Twiga contributes 10 % of the total support of applied amount.

Forum Syd also support “an exchange with own contributions of 10 %”. The exchange includes Swedish and Ugandan table tennis players who visit each others country for a cultural exchange, for sharing experiences, train together and to play competitions.

Today 80 people support the project with funds every month. The contribution is yearly 30.000 Swedish crowns. Other income generating projects is to carry out lectures and applying to other foundations.

The project works outwards and has connection with media channels. For example, the project has been portrayed in Channel 4, Sida’s paper Omvärlden, Radio 7-härad and Borås Tidning. In December 2007 Forum Syd highlighted the project as successful in how to include young people in poverty reduction. Twiga and Mbale Tigers have carried many seminars that inspire other Swedish organizations.