Table tennis players compete at the 4th edition of the Chinese Ambassador’s Cup in Kigali, Rwanda, on 10 September (EMBASSY OF CHINA IN RWANDA) 

The Chinese Ambassador’s Cup tournaments for numerous sports in African countries have been playing a vital role not only in the development of the sport in these countries, but also in the deepening of African people’s bonds with the Chinese people. Chen Zhihong, Chinese ambassador to Mali, reiterated China’s unwavering support in the realms of sports in his speech at the inauguration of the Chinese Ambassador’s Cup football competition in Mali on 8 October.  

Now in its second year, the competition unites students from six grand schools and institutes of a Malian university. The venue of the competition, the Kabala Campus of the University of Bamako, is a symbol of the beneficial partnership between China and Mali. The participation of sports figures and diplomats in the kick-off ceremony of the tournament underscored the value of the partnership during this sports competition, which concludes on 28 October. 

This football tournament is now included in Mali’s repertoire of sporting events, which already includes the wushu tournament and the Chinese Ambassador’s Lawn Tennis Cup, established in 2015 and 2017 respectively. These events bring together more than 100 athletes, as well as sponsors and various corporate players from both countries. 

During the opening ceremony of the latest football tournament, Boueréma Kansaye, minister of higher education and scientific research, thanked China for its support. For him, “China’s unwavering support, both in sports and diplomacy, is invaluable in Mali’s efforts to assert its sovereignty both domestically and internationally.” The minister has noted that these challenging times demonstrate the solidarity of genuine allies. 

A devoted partner  

Burkina Faso has a multifaceted sports development programme that includes the prestigious annual Chinese Ambassador’s Badminton Cup. In anticipation of the fourth edition, organisers are leveraging the successes of the third edition, which concluded splendidly on 23 October 2022. Rachidatou Bilogo and Ousmane Ouédraogo, the previous champions, conveyed their appreciation for China for introducing the sport to Burkina Faso. Bilogo, who had the chance to train in China, said that the Chinese dedication not only promotes the development of the sport, but also creates various professional opportunities in the sector. Boukaré Ouédraogo, president of the Badminton Federation of Burkina Faso, mentioned the various Chinese contributions, such as motorbikes, grants ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 CFA francs ($80 to $800) for contestants, and other marketing initiatives, offering financial stability to many of the players involved. 

The Chinese Embassy is not just involved in badminton - it is also sponsoring an athletics tournament. According to Missiri Théophile Sawadogo, technical director of the Burkinabe Athletics Federation, China’s assistance has been vital for the development of sports in the country. “China provided us with the Quatre-Août Stadium, which is multifunctional and equipped with cutting-edge facilities. This has elevated the standard of our athletes, who are now among the best on the African continent.”  

Then there is Chinese Ambassador’s Cup for kungfu, which is another evidence of the benefits of the China-Burkina Faso friendship, which was highlighted by Lu Shan, Chinese ambassador to Burkina Faso. These partnerships demonstrate Burkina Faso’s perseverance for progress in sports, politics, and economics, even amidst political challenges. 

Chen Zhihong (second right, front row), Chinese ambassador to Mali, participates in the opening of the Chinese Ambassador’s Cup in Mali football tournament on 8 October at the Kabala Campus of the University of Bamako in Mali (EMBASSY OF CHINA IN MALI) 

Sport and diplomacy  

In addition to badminton and kungfu, sporting disciplines that were still emerging in Africa before Chinese involvement, table tennis also holds a prominent position in China-Africa sports exchanges. Consider Gabon, for instance. Prior to the pandemic that disrupted the world of sports, Hu Changchun, former Chinese ambassador to Gabon, oversaw the third and fourth editions of the Chinese Ambassador’s Ping Pong Open in Gabon in February 2017 and 2018. At these events, 16-year-old Gabonese table tennis player Andy Bringaud showcased his talent by winning the competitions, and then going on to make a name for himself on the international stage. This victory not only solidified his reputation, but also raised the profile of the 60 Gabonese table tennis players who have consistently participated in this competition.  

Meanwhile, in Cameroon, the Palais des Sports in Yaoundé, which was built through a collaboration between China and Cameroon, hosts the yearly Chinese Ambassador’s Cups in badminton, kungfu and table tennis. These initiatives showcase how diplomacy can effectively enhance cultural and sports relationships between nations. 

At the 10th edition of the Chinese Ambassador’s Cup in Cameroon in September 2019, Wang Yingwu, Chinese ambassador to Cameroon, emphasised the numerous accomplishments resulting from Sino-Cameroonian cooperation, particularly in the sports sector. Along with the multi-purpose stadium that provided the event’s backdrop, he highlighted China’s aid in building several football stadiums. These facilities notably allowed Cameroon to become the prestigious host of the 2022 African Cup of Nations. Chinese impact was apparent in the development of various sports disciplines in Cameroon. 

Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, Cameroon’s minister of sport and physical education, praised the tournament not only for its excellent organisation, but also for the noteworthy performances of the athletes.  

Through the Chinese Ambassador’s Cups, China has effectively highlighted and promoted various sporting disciplines in numerous African nations, such as Djibouti, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire. Thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative, trainees from French-speaking African nations can partake in friendly matches with several Chinese schools. These matches enable individuals to gauge their abilities in a variety of sports, including badminton, wushu, table tennis, basketball, and football, among others. 

However, the significance of these sporting exchanges extends beyond the realm of athletics. They form and reinforce multifaceted bilateral relationships, resulting in diplomatic and financial partnerships. Sports are utilised as a catalyst for financial agreements to construct sports facilities, roads, and other crucial infrastructure. At the same time, it promotes trade that benefits both parties.