Honiara’s association rolls out week-long programme ahead of World Table Tennis Day
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
Honiara Table Tennis Association (HTTA) is taking the sport beyond the indoor court and into schools, communities and disability centres this week as part of its build-up to World Table Tennis Day on Thursday.
HTTA President Kevin Olea said this year’s global event, themed “Health & Wellbeing”, is being marked with a week-long outreach programme that aims to promote healthy lifestyles and social inclusion through sport.
“For this year, we have a week-long celebration… we started on Monday visiting schools and communities to activate the minds of young people that while attending education, we must also engage in sport,” Olea said.
He said the association has already visited St Nicholas Anglican College and Lungga Community High School, with more visits lined up for Zion Christian Academy and communities in Guadalcanal.
“We are trying to bring to the kids and the community that we must balance physical and social wellbeing… table tennis gives a good push at a time when we need to balance sports and education,” he said.
The main celebration will take place this Thursday at the Multi-purpose Hall in Honiara, featuring a two-hour “Come and Try” session open to the public.
“This is an open session… anyone can come and have a try. We will have eight tables set up… men and women, able and disabled, boys and girls can all play together,” Olea said.
He added that the initiative is about breaking barriers and encouraging participation across all sectors of society.
“One of the very important things is to bring kids together to understand that table tennis can break barriers… boys and girls, disabled and able can all play,” he said.
Inclusivity remains a key focus for HTTA, with Olea highlighting the growing involvement of para-athletes in both programmes and competitions.
“Since our establishment, every competition must include the disability category… even our coaches, some are persons with disabilities, which is a big step in leadership and motivation,” he said.
The association has also recorded a steady rise in participation, particularly among young girls and women.
“We are seeing strong turnout… almost 60 percent of our participants are young girls and females, and we expect that number to grow,” Olea said.
Support from partners such as ITTF-Oceania and the Australian High Commission has been instrumental in delivering the programmes.
“The partnership support… through Team Up and ITTF has been excellent. Equipment and funding have really helped us reach schools and communities,” he said.
Looking beyond this week, HTTA is preparing for the Honiara Schools Festival scheduled for June 16 to 19, which is expected to bring together 14 schools and two disability centres.
Olea encouraged the public to take part in the sport.
“Table tennis is for all… if you want to have fun, make new friends and get active, come and try,” he said.
World Table Tennis Day is celebrated globally each year to promote the sport as a tool for inclusion, health and community development. In Honiara, HTTA continues to lead grassroots programmes through schools and communities under its inclusive “Smash Down Barriers” initiative.
Photo: Supplied
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