The project funded by the International Working Group through the United Nations Office on Sports for Development and Peace will run simultaneously across six different locations of the country from the Eastern Region to the Far-western Region.The project will be jointly organized by All Nepal Table Tennis Association (ANTTA) and Nepalese Disabled Table Tennis Association (NDTTA) in partnership with International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).
The project will be inaugurated at the Jorpati Training Center of Khagendra New Life on Wednesday coinciding with the World Table Tennis Day which falls on April 6. The same ceremony will also see inauguration of renovated Para Table Tennis Training Center in Kathmandu.
Organizing a press conference at the National Table Tennis Training Center in Lainchaur, Kathmandu, representatives of ANTTA, United Nations and ITTF highlighted about the importance of the project to motivate physically challenged people in Nepal.
According to ANTTA, the project will run simultaneously in Biratnagar, Pokhara, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi and two locations in Kathmandu. The press release issued by the ANTTA states that the project will provide opportunities for all persons with disabilities by empowering, strengthening and integrating them in Para Table Tennis as vehicle for a positive change.
"The undertaking includes the sensitization of local coaches, improvement of accessibility for players with disability in local community clubs and creating of a solid network between Para Table Tennis clubs and local organizations to develop Para Table Tennis in Nepal and train Role Models," states the release.
Speaking on the occasion, ITTF President Thomas Weikert said that the project with budget of $ 150,000 will train around 400 players during the three-year period. He also lauded Nepali delegates and players who wanted to play during World Championship despite being shocked by the April 25 earthquake. "Though the players and delegates were shocked, they wanted to play and finish. I was quiet impressed with them," he said. He also recalled that ITTF supported Nepal with € 10,000 immediately after the earthquake. "We have a real big project for three years for people with disability. This is a big sign of solidarity."
Weikert also informed that the main event -- celebration of World Table Tennis Day -- will be held in Jorpati (Nepal) and the ITTF will mark the celebration in more than 70 countries through more than 150 events.
Wilfried Lemke, the special advisor to the UN Secretary General on Sports for Development and Peace, opined that people with disability should be integrated in society rather than isolating them.
International Working Group's co-chair of Sports and Person with Disabilities, Young Sam MA, appealed all to work together to enhance the right to sports for persons with disabilities.
ANTTA President Chaturananda Rajvaidya pointed out that the project will be a milestone for both abled and disabled table tennis players. "Our aim is to make all table tennis players self-sustainable after three years as coaches of various schools, colleges and others institutes."
Melissa Tapper, the third-ranked women's table tennis players of Australia with disability of hand shared her experience of playing with physical disability. She has secured a place alongside physically fit players for the Rio Olympics and also Para Olympics. She has been named the role model for the project.
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