International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons travelled to Granada to visit the ongoing Andalucia 2022 World Para Table Tennis Championships, highlighting the fruitful relationship between the International Federation and the IPC.

“It is always fantastic to see major Para sport events in person, especially in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, and I would like to thank the ITTF led by its President Petra Sörling for hosting me. Having attended the last World Championships in Slovenia, it was wonderful to see first-hand the evolution in athletic performance and growth in participation to record levels. In-particular event organisers have done an impressive job in creating spectacular fields of play and all-round accessibility at the event.” — Andrew Parsons, IPC President

Palacio de Deportes de Granada has provided players with a world-class venue befitting a World Para Championships. Its centrepiece is the playing hall covered with a deep red court mat, eight tables, court surrounds flash sponsors’ logos, players enter the arena to a fanfare, their names emblazoned on a 30-meter-long screen that fills one side of the arena. The ITTF World Para Championships are held every four years, since the first edition in 1990. President Parsons also visited the event in 2018.

“We are delighted to welcome President Parsons at this incredible event. It is an honour to have him come and support our World Para Championships, which help fosters and grows the collaboration between our two organisations. We are thrilled to be working with the IPC in the run up to Paris 2024.” —  Petra Sörling, ITTF President

The IPC President got to see first-hand how the venue was adapted for wheelchair users; with 10 special toilets, two ramps for the practice area and two ramps for the entrance being installed. These upgrades to the field of play will be invaluable as organizers in France prepare for the next Paralympics to prioritize accessibility for our athletes.

The venue is complemented with fully accessible accommodation and transportation services including six low-platform buses. Around 100 volunteers have pledged to make this event one of the best ever to be held in Granada.

The event uses live-scoring system for the first time with all results available in real time on the ITTF website. Competing are 326 players from 51 teams, a record number of participating teams since the first edition of the World Para Championships in 1990. All continental federations are represented.