Special Olympics UAE Unveils National Table Tennis Development Programme For People Of Determination

Special Olympics UAE, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), has initiated a training programme to boost table tennis skills. This event, held at Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services from 2nd to 6th February, gathers 120 athletes with intellectual and developmental challenges and 30 coaches from various UAE clubs. The goal is to improve technical skills and expand opportunities for People of Determination in table tennis.

The launch event featured representatives from Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Sharjah Sports Council, and Al Thiqah Club for Disabled. A Japanese delegation, including experienced table tennis coaches led by Maruko Hirano, was present. Hirano, a prominent coach from the Hirano Table Tennis Center in Japan, has over ten years of experience in inclusive table tennis programmes.

Hirano's centre in Japan welcomes more than 100 athletes from diverse backgrounds. It focuses on promoting social inclusion through sports by working with students of all abilities. This initiative aims to enhance the technical capabilities of People of Determination in the sport.

Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of Special Olympics UAE, highlighted the programme's importance: "Table tennis is a sport that allows People of Determination to express themselves, develop essential physical and mental skills, and compete. Through this programme, we aim to enhance the capabilities of our athletes and create new opportunities within Special Olympics UAE’s sports community."

This partnership between Special Olympics UAE and JICE has been fruitful over time. In January 2023, JICE hosted a training camp in Japan for the Special Olympics UAE’s Women’s Unified Football Team. This camp prepared them for the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023.

The programme not only aims to elevate skills but also seeks to foster community engagement through sports. By providing expert guidance from seasoned coaches like those from Japan, it hopes to inspire athletes across the UAE.

This initiative reflects ongoing efforts to integrate People of Determination into mainstream sports activities. It underscores the commitment to creating inclusive environments where everyone can thrive through athletic participation.

With inputs from WAM