Being an athlete requires dedication, and this is something veteran and pioneer para table tennis players, Eugene and Victor, know too well. They built Singapore’s para table tennis team from scratch, starting out with no proper venue or equipment to achieving an amazing feat of winning 9 bronze medals in a recent competition!
Eugene and Victor began their journey in para table tennis without any fundamental skills. With the help of their coach and his wife, Eugene and Victor gradually honed their skills. Yet, their hard work is undeniable, too. Eugene trains 3 to 4 times per week (around 26 hours!), and increases his training hours when competitions are nearing. What drives him is the enthusiasm and high morale at their training centres. Additionally, the increasing amount of participants in the sport has deeply encouraged him to persevere on.
Para sports has been gaining increasing recognition over the years, with more young people taking them up. Although busy with school commitments, the younger players tend to have a natural aptitude for the sport, and are determined to represent the team in competitions.
In addition, the team has been constantly supported by a group of volunteers who offer assistance to them in many ways. These volunteers and players have developed a close relationship with each other, and the team has been extremely grateful towards the selflessness of these volunteers.
The great relationships founded within Singapore’s para sports community is one of the reasons why people should be encouraged to take up sports like para table tennis. Eugene urges those who lack confidence to just give it a go – after all, you’d have a friend like Eugene who will support you! At the end of the day, every athlete has a common goal: to spread the joy of para sports, not just within the community, but around the world.
“We want to let people know that para sports helps us in our health, overcoming our sickness, and is a way to make our country proud.”
Know a friend who hasn’t yet decided to take his/her first step into para sports? Share this post with them to give them an extra push!