Tanzanian para table tennis players are undergoing intensive training aimed at preparing them for upcoming international competitions, including the African Para Table Tennis Championship in Egypt this November and the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Speaking at the opening of the training at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Noorelain Shariff, Executive Committee member of the Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) and Chairperson of the Tanzania Table Tennis Association (TTTA) for persons with disabilities, urged participants to make full use of the sessions.
He described the training as a historic opportunity, being the first of its kind in the country.
Shariff highlighted Tanzania’s past successes in para table tennis, recalling his own representation of the country at previous Paralympic Games.
He welcomed the participation of Mian Absar Ali, a top coach from Pakistan leading the sessions, and praised the Tanzania National Sports Council (BMT) for facilitating his stay.
“This training is critical preparation for athletes who aim to bring medals home in future tournaments,” Shariff said.
Coach Absar said the program will not only enhance players’ skills but also help them become future trainers. “Through this training, you will learn to teach others how to compete at higher levels,” he said.
Moses Mabula, Director of the World Parasports Institute, emphasized that the sessions cover both technical skills and personal development, including coping strategies for life with disabilities and table tennis classification planning.
The initiative reflects a growing effort to raise Tanzania’s profile in para sports and strengthen its presence in international competitions.