Around 300 students from various schools on Tongatapu took part in the new Bounce it Back table tennis schools program, launched as part of World Table Tennis Day celebrations at Queen Salote Memorial Hall, Nuku'alofa on April 5.

The initiative, supported by the Australian Government through its Pacific Sports Partnership program, aims to increase physical activity and promote social inclusion.

Students from 'Ofa Tui mo e 'Amanaki Special Needs School, Alonga Center, LDS Middle School, Maamaloa Side School, Malia Lutu ‘Imakulata, Hillard Memorial School, Sangato Falakiko ‘Asisi Primary and several students from GPS Fanga attended.

Netina Latu, CEO for Tonga Table Tennis Federation (TTTF) said celebrating the day is a reminder of the importance of playing table tennis for fun, getting more active and having an inclusive mindset accepting others as they are.

She was delighted to see students from special needs schools playing together with students from other schools.

“It’s awesome to see our students smash down barriers with friends from ‘Alonga leading the activities.”

She added that table tennis has long been a vehicle to promote social change and contribute to development outcomes.

The Bank South Pacific, Tonga Health, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs also contributed to the initiative, which was developed by the International Table Tennis Federation -Oceania.

The event was one of around 756 events across 92 countries that were registered to celebrate World Table Tennis Day which falls on April 6.