Brian Chamboko, 32, is the fourth-ranked table tennis player in Zimbabwe. Time and time again, one man has stood between him and his goals. To add insult to injury, this persistent impediment is his good friend. For decades, 43-year-old Vikram Singh has dominated Zimbabwe table tennis. If it were not for tenacious rivals like Chamboko, winning would be boringly easy for Singh. "You can only grow if you play against someone better than you and personally I feel I have been stagnant,” Singh subtly humble-bragged. Chamboko, for his part, has relished the challenge of attempting to dethrone Singh. “On the table, Vikram is my number one enemy, we always bring out the best in each other. However, once play is over, we are the very best of buddies,” Chamboko related. These "frenemies" have inspired not only each other but a growing legion of fans. “I believe this rivalry has in a way helped keep the local game afloat," said Chamboko. "There is a crop of players who are Team Vikram and the other is Team Brian," he continued. "They emulate our type of play and it’s good to know we have made such huge, positive impact on the game." This positive impact includes Chamboko coaching up-and-coming talent at the Harare International School. He sees great potential among the younger players but laments the lack of leagues and other developmental infrastructure. “The prevailing financial challenges have obviously affected the game," said Chamboko. "My wish is that we all come together and have proper leagues running.” Perhaps "Team Brian" and "Team Vikram" could be the start of a proper league?

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