From Passion to Process: A journey of learning through Challenger's Cup

By student organiser Bikramjeet Singh Suman

What started as a simple passion for table tennis and bringing people together has evolved into one of the most fulfilling journeys for me — the Challenger's Cup, a community-driven table tennis tournament.

Looking back, successfully completing three editions has been more than just about the games; it has been a live case study in managing change, fostering participation, and building something that outlives individual efforts.

In the beginning, it was all about energy — a free-flowing format where anyone could challenge anyone, sparking excitement and involvement. As participation grew, so did the need for structure. The second tournament evolved into a round-robin format, ensuring everyone got more games and fair opportunities. By the third edition, with even more players, we had to shift to knockout rounds, highlighting a new challenge — scaling while maintaining the community spirit.

But with scale comes responsibility. I quickly realised that for the Challenger's Cup to continue growing, it could no longer rely on just one person. We needed to transition ownership, empower new leaders, and embed processes — much like Agile principles in action.

In Agile, we adapt processes based on changing project realities — resources, scale, and outcomes. We prioritise working solutions over rigid plans and embrace iterative improvement. The evolution of the Challenger's Cup mirrored this:

• Responding to change over following a fixed plan
• Evolving formats based on participant needs
• Handing over responsibilities to ensure continuity, sustainability, and growth

For me, this has been more than organising a tournament — it has been a lesson in building resilient communities, adapting processes, and letting go to let others lead.

Grateful to everyone who's been part of this journey. Looking forward to the next chapter of Challenger's Cup!