Tonga table tennis players hone skills at ITTF Oceania Championships [1]
Melbourne, Australia
Tuesday, September 20, 2022 - 19:08
Tonga table tennis player, Tupou Fifita. Melbourne, Australia, 5 September, 2022. Photo: TTTF
Eight members of Tonga’s table tennis players made good progress in honing their skills at the 2022 International Table Tennis Federation - Oceania Senior and Youth Championships in Melbourne, on 12 September.
The ITTF-Oceania said, Tonga performed with distinction, after a long period of non-competition due to COVID-19 border restrictions.
Tonga Head Coach Mr Joh Fifita said the team returned with much experience from taking part in this major annual regional event.
“They were tough long training days and competition days but it was great for the players to be exposed to such intensity so that they learn what it takes to improve their game”, he said.
“This is a great building block towards future multi-sporting events such as the 2023 Pacific Games in Solomon Islands, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria and towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games”
ITTF-Oceania CEO, Barry Griffiths believed it is vital to participate at these international events to nurture our youth’s talents and to provide our players with a pathway in the sport.
Tonga and other Pacific countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, New Caledonia, Fiji, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu participated in a three Day Training Camp prior to the six-day competition at Eastland shopping centre at Scoresby.
Tonga Table Tennis Federation acknowledged TASANOC, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Australian High Commission for their assistance and support, which enabled the athletes to compete in the event.
Sports [8]