A TT tourney for impaired children
[January 15, 2002 - 11.00 GMT]

A table tennis tournament for intellectually and visually impaired children was held on 9^th and 10^th January for the first time in Sri Lanka.

The tournament was organized by the Department of Social Services with the assistance from the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) Programme – a technical assistance programme of the Government of Japan through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). 

“Each team had six members. From the ball to the racket to the team, it was special in every way,” a spokesperson for Social Services Department said.

“For those who were visually impaired they had a special racket and a special ball. The game helped them in tuning their hearing to the movement of the ball. For the intellectually impaired it was a matter of how to control their movements,” she said.

“The tournament not only gave the children enjoyment but did a lot in developing their team spirit,” she added.

Over 200 children participated in the tournament from twenty-five special schools.

The JOCV Volunteer, Ms. Yoshimura is responsible for introducing this unique form of table tennis specially designed for impaired children. Currently, she is in the process of training instructors from 27 rehabilitation centres in Sri Lanka.  

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Last Updated Date: January 15, 2002  - 11.00 GMT.