| ATTC Women’s Meeting
at Parapan American Games Rio 2007
 On
August 15th, the first Women’s Meeting organized by the ATTC
(Americas Table Tennis Committee for the disabled) was held, during
the Parapan American Games Rio 2007.
The aim of the meeting was to give information about what the ITTF
Women’s Group is doing to promote table tennis for women at
all levels, and encourage women from Americas to use the ITTF Women’s
Group as a model in order to start work in the development of table
tennis for women with a disability in our region.
Participants from Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Cuba, Chile and Mexico;
players, umpires and coaches, were very surprised about how the
ITTF Women’s Group is changing the reality of women in table
tennis. And it was very nice to see male coaches also interested
to promote table tennis for women.
 At
the end of the presentation there were groups of discussions and
each group gave their opinions about this new information and also
suggested different activities that can be done to promote table
tennis for women with a disability.
I would like to thank the participation and support in the meeting
of Mr. Oeivind Eriksen IPTTC Chairperson, Mr. Leandro Olvech ATTC
Chairperson and Mr. Odd Gustavsen Chairman of the ITTF Equipment
Committee.
The reality of women in table tennis for the disabled is that there
are only 28% of women players in comparison with men players. And
that percentage is the same, not only in the Americas but also in
the rest of the world. For that reason, the central point is to
work in the development of women players in all classes of competition
(1 to 10), but especially in the lower classes (1 and 2).
Physical activity is very important for all the people but it is
more important for people with a disability. Sport is the way to
have a healthy life and table tennis can help women with a disability
to improve their every day life.
We have started; the next step is to work in the design
of new activities for new women in the Americas.
Participants of the first ATTC Women’s
Meeting
Parapan American Games Rio 2007
Lic. Alejandra Gabaglio
ATTC Development Officer
|
