Sirjan Bastola's efforts promote inclusion and global collaboration.
Sirjan Bastola is a Chevening Scholar from Nepal, currently pursuing an MPhil in Bioscience Enterprise (MBE) at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge. He is a student member of Lucy Cavendish College and a faculty member of Veterinary Microbiology at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Paklihawa Campus, Tribhuvan University, Nepal.
Earlier this year, Sirjan was selected as one of 32 global promoters by the ITTF Foundation to celebrate World Table Tennis Day 2024 (April 23). World Table Tennis Day, celebrated annually on April 23rd since 2015, honours Ivor Montagu, founding president of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). It emphasises the joy of the game, focusing on participation and enjoyment over competition. The 2024 theme, ‘Diversity and Inclusion’, highlights the power of table tennis to unify people from all backgrounds.
“My passion for table tennis spans 25 years, with numerous wins at school, university, and district levels in Nepal. As a WTTD promoter in 2023, my team successfully organised events, online competitions, and sustainability workshops in Nepal.
This year, with the support of the Cambridge University Table Tennis Club, I'll represent the UK. I have formed the World Table Tennis Day 2024 Promoter Team, Cambridge-Nepal, bridging the two nations with a shared love for the sport.
My planned events include:
- Cambridge: A doubles tournament where each pair represents different nationalities, showcasing diversity and unity in the sport. This message, originating from a world-renowned university, will resonate globally, promoting peace and harmony.
- Nepal: Creative events (including table tennis) at orphanages, highlighting the importance of inclusion, extracurricular activities, and a better quality of life for these children.
Being a two-time WTTD promoter allows me to champion the UN's Sustainable Development Goals through sports. It's an honour to represent both the University of Cambridge and the ITTF Foundation, advocating for global solidarity. This role fuels my ambition to be a science and enterprise promoter, fostering UK-Nepal collaborations that address critical challenges in health, food security, and climate change.”
