Rajiv wins inclusive open para table tennis title

Kathmandu: The national physical disabled table tennis association Nepal has organized an inclusive open para table tennis tournament. On Saturday, the Association organized an open table tennis competition between the disabled and non disabled people at Jorpati Khagendra Community Building, Jorpati.

Rajiv Chhikabanjar has won the title in the competition. In the final match, he defeated Rakta Chandra Manandhar to win the title. The final match was very competitive. Rajiv defeated Manandhar in a set score of 14-11, 11-9, 13-11. Dharma Raj Thapa secured the third position. Earlier, Manandhar had defeated Thapa 14-11, 11-13, 16-15 in the semi-finals.

According to the organizers association, the tournament has provided an opportunity to players of all age groups and different backgrounds to compete on the same platform. It has been expressed the belief that the tournament organized with priority to inclusivity will promote inclusive values in sports.

Ganesh KC, president of the National Physically Handicapped Table Tennis Association Nepal, said that the inclusive open para table tennis game has been organized to encourage the players with disabilities.
He said that the inclusive sports have been organized with the objective of developing what kind of sports to be played by competing with people with disabilities and others, how to improve themselves, how to compete with others rather than the game between themselves and how to improve the techniques and methods of the game.

He said, “We have organized the tournament with the objective of protecting the enthusiasm of the disabled people who stay indoors, empowering them and bringing out their capabilities.” In the past, we used to play games only among people with disabilities and declare them first, second and third. But this time we are trying to give a new message by competing with people with disabilities and others.”

The tournament was organized on the occasion of International Table Tennis Day on April 23. ITTF Foundation has provided financial support to conduct the tournament.