by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

A Factor 40 tournament and still some days to go before players arrive on Saturday 15th July but already there has been plenty of activity in the Taichung, an industrial city on the western side of central Chinese Taipei.

Notably on Sunday 9th July, the Taichung City Municipal Sports Bureau held a promotional campaign and press conference at the Fengyuan Pacific Department Store Plaza.

National team players were present, the opportunity for shoppers to witness wheelchair table tennis being a major attraction. Most pertinently, present for the occasion was Lin I-Ying, the Deputy Mayor of Taichung City alongside Wang Cing-Tang, the Chair of the Sports Bureau of Taichung City and Chen Cing-Long, Chair of the Taichung Disabled Person’s Sports Federation.

Wang Cing-Tang explained that Taichung is committed to support all who have a physical or learning disability.

“I hope that through this open tournament, not only opportunities for domestic and foreign players to exchange experiences are enhanced, also Taichung City, physical and psychological services are promoted.” Wang Cing-Tang

The words of Wang Cing-Tang were echoed by Chen Cing-Long who applauded the promotional activities; highlighting the fact those watching could appreciate both the physical limitations experienced by the players as well as their dedication and strong mental attitude towards competition.

Matters concluded with Wang Cing-Tang leading a well-deserved round of applause.

4th Taichung Table Tennis Open for the Disabled 2017: Official Website

4th Taichung Table Tennis Open for the Disabled 2017: Live Streaming

4th Taichung Table Tennis Open for the Disabled 2017: Official ITTF YouTubeChannel