"I believe the children are the future," Whitney Houston sang. "Teach them well and let them lead the way." Robert Jjagwe apparently shares that philosophy. The Uganda Table Tennis Association (UTTA) President has focused his tenure on developing youth table tennis programs. Two years ago, as he reclaimed his presidency, he outlined his broad goals for the association. "For now the focus is all on increasing the number of players, number of competitions, spectators and positive publicity in the press following each competition," Jjagwe said. Since then, he has placed junior programs at the forefront of the agenda. This includes his "Japan 2020 Qualification roadmap," an ambitious plan to raise Ugandan table tennis to Olympic levels. Naturally, this requires vigorous grassroots outreach programs, coupled with the requisite equipment, training and organized competition, all of which he as overseen. As seen in the picture, last year's World Ping-Pong Day was well-represented in Uganda. For his efforts, Jjagwe was honored one week ago at a ceremony hosted by the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) in the capital city of Kampala. The ceremony was attended by many of the young rising stars who have benefited from Jjagwe's programs, which in turn have grown under the aegis of the ITTF. Junior champions in attendance included para table tennis gold medalist Uthuman Lukoye and national under-13 champion Rayan Ssekulima. At the ceremony, UOC President William Blick addressed the star-studded crowd: “I’m happy to be here talking to kids. It’s important that that the Uganda Table Tennis Association invests in children because youngsters are the future of sports." Blick, apparently a Whitney Houston fan as well, then proceeded to hint at further developments with the ITTF, promising further bulletins as events warrant. While Blick was keeping this next surprise under wraps, he did remind those in attendance of a major development in African table tennis. “I wish to see many of you at the 2022 Youth Olympics in Dakar,” he said, encouraging young players to set their sights on Senegal. It will be quite the milestone indeed, marking the first time Africa will have hosted any incarnation of the Olympic Games. Any Ugandan players in attendance will be indebted in at least some degree to Robert Jjagwe, who will assuredly be watching with a proud smile. Truly, the greatest love of all.