The Zimbabwe Table Tennis Union (ZTTU) has introduced the para-division at their annual flagship event the Zimbabwe Open which kicks off at Divaris Makaharis tomorrow.
About 200 athletes, including some from Zambia and Malawi, are expected to take part in the event which has continued to grow in leaps and bounds in recent years.
In a bid to create inclusivity in the sport, ZTTU will launch the para-division with the aim to push athletes for Paralympics, World and Africa Para championships in future.
“This year we have officially launched the Para-division where we have those that will represent us at the Paralympics from juniors to seniors as it is our vision to grow a sport that is inclusive. As we prepare, we are taking our Para team to the World Cup qualifiers in Botswana this June as so that they can have the pathway to qualify Africa Para and maybe also qualify for the World Championships Para division,” ZTTU president Ferenando Noah told Newsday.
Noah expressed excitement at the big turnout that they are expecting at the event this time around.
“This is the biggest tournament on our calendar. We have invited teams from Zambia and Malawi so that it is bigger and better. We are expecting an average of 200 athletes which is the biggest number that we have actually hosted in the history of table tennis in this country.
“The last edition (last year) we had around 88 athletes but now we are expecting a male team that has been confirmed from Zambia and another male team from Malawi. We also have new kids on the block coming from Masvingo Teachers’ and Belvedere Teachers’ Colleges that are coming through for the tournament,” he said.
The categories available at the Zim Open include theUnder-10, Under-12, Under-15 and Under21 as well as the Open men and women competitions.
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Sponsors for the competition include Chakaz, Divaris Makaharis School, Nashenic Freight Services, Huatai Batteries, Old Mutual and Devine International.
