“Smashing Down Barriers with Table Tennis’ wins WHO award [1]
Tuesday, August 13, 2019 - 22:29
An award recognizing the sport of table tennis used to promote and protect the health of its members including people with disabilities in its ‘Smashing Down Barriers with Table Tennis’ initiative, was handed over by Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akauola to Tonga Table Tennis Federation (TTTF) CEO Netina Latu at Vaiola Hospital today, 13 August.
The WHO Healthy Islands Best Practice Recognition Award was announced at the recent regional Ministers of Health Meeting in Tahiti on 8 August, with Dr ‘Akauola accepting the award on behalf of TTTF.
A cash prize of USD$10k was also included with the award to strengthen and enhance TTTF’s current activities.
This is the second time Tonga has won this award with the first in 2013 with the Kau Mai Tonga Ke Tau Netipolo program at the Health Ministerial meeting in Samoa, said Dr ‘Akauola.
“I was so proud to be at the receiving end for the second time, this time around with Tonga Table Tennis Federation,” he said.
Dr Wendy Snowdon from the WHO office in Suva, Fiji, said they received many excellent applications for this category this year but the ‘Smashing Down Barriers with Table Tennis’ demonstrated all the aspects of Health Islands initiative.”
Australia through the Pacific Sports Partnerships (PSP) supports sport for development in the Pacific and have partnered with ITTF-Oceania (regional body) to implement PSP sport for health program. ITTF-Oceania and Tonga Table Tennis Federation (TTTF) work hand in hand to deliver the Smash Down Barriers (SDB)” program to increase inclusive participation and improve the quality of life of people with disabilities through participation in proper table tennis activities.
Tonga Table Tennis engages a National Participation Officer, Mr Simote Lavulavu who runs weekly programs at five disability centers in Tonga.
WHO works with member countries and partner organisations to revitalize the ‘Healthy Islands’ concept and support project and program planning, implementation and evaluation for the improvement of health and quality of life of Pacific Islanders. WHO recognizes outstanding work in defined areas that demonstrate effective and efficient ways of promoting and protecting the health of its members’ populations.
WHO recognizes the great work being carried out by health and community leaders to achieve the vision of healthy islands in different areas including;
- children are nurtured in body and mind
- environments invite learning and leisure
- people work and age with dignity
- ecological balance is a source of pride, and
- the ocean which sustains us is protected.