2015 regional event debuts para-table tennis

 PARA-table tennis, a first-time inclusion in the Pacific Games,  kicked off yesterday with six participants from Fiji, New Caledonia, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu with the men’s ambulant singles.

Competition manager Karai Taukarai said: “This year is the first time for para-table tennis to be included in the event. We have male seated and male standing as well as females seated and standing. 

“How it goes is that we try to develop para-inclusion into table tennis worldwide.

In the Pacific, para-table tennis had been identified as a sport which people with disabilities can play and have fun. They can play sitting and standing.

Taukarai said there were certain slightly modified rules applied for para-table tennis athletes to cater to their disability. 

“We hope we can get more para athletes to take part in sports especially in table tennis. 

The six participants are Christopher John from Fiji, MonteiroAvelino from New Caledonia, Agari Haoda from PNG, Toleafoa Milo from Fiji, Kobariki Naka from Solomon Islands and Ben Rodney Sam from Vanuatu.

There are four medals up for grab in this game.