Within the framework of the ITTF Americas Development Program, Colombia organized an ITTF Para Table Tennis Classification Seminar Level 1 (National Classification) in Melgar, Tolima (COL). The seminar was staged from Tuesday 16 November to Saturday 20 November 2021.

A total of 13 participants (8 men and 5 women) from Colombia attended the seminar, all with different technical and medical backgrounds.

The activity was set up in two phases under the supervision of the classification expert Cintia Mariño (ARG). The participants received the theoretical information as the first part of the seminar, which took place in the dissertation hall followed by the observation part which took place in the national PTT competition venue. After that, groups of participants were asked to evaluate the players with the guidance of the expert. In the observational step, the group commented on the observed player. Both venues were well prepared to welcome the participants of the seminar.

Sixty-nine athletes participated in the National Tournament of Colombia, and 24 new players were classified.

A few days after the successful ITTF PTT Classification Seminar in Colombia, the next activity took place under the direction of Table Tennis India. As part of the 2021 Asia Development Program, the ITTF HPD National Para Table Tennis training camp was organized at Abhay Prashal Indore (IND) from 24 November to 3 December 2021. The training camp was organized by Madhya Pradesh Table Tennis Association (MPTTA) and the Para Table Tennis Promotion Association under the supervision of the national coaches Smt. Rinku Acharya, Shri Jitendra Singh Bist and Shri Nilay Vyas.

15 Players (8 male and 7 female) of different classes participated in the camp. It was a progressive step for Para Table Tennis in India, which will benefit the Para athletes as well as their coaches. Two local coaches, Shri Pramod Soni and Shri R.C Moriya, were present to render their services, while the camp was organized under the leadership of Shri Om Soni, president of the MPTTA, Shri Jayech Achareya, General secretary MPTTA and Shri Pramod Gangrade, General secretary PTT Promotion Association. The camp was well supported by the efficient camp coordinator Shri Gaurav Patel and his support staff.

All necessary arrangements for the camp, such as a well-prepared field of play and equipment, had been made for the participants, who enjoyed safe hospitality with strict hygiene measure in place.

The coaches expressed their gratitude towards MPTTA for their wonderful hospitality extended to all participants.

The last Para Table Tennis activity of 2021, the ITTF HPD National Para Table Tennis Training Camp, took place in the city of Queretaro (MEX) from 16 to 19 December 2021, as part of the 2021 ITTF Americas Development Program.

In the Queretaro 2000 park, one of the best PTT facilities in Mexico, 7 players (4 women and 3 men) from different classes participated in the national PTT training camp. The camp was led by national coaches Angel Martinez and Milton Garcia, in addition to the local coaches Alan Cosio, Bruno Miramontes and Juan Hernandez.

Three players who participated in the recent Paralympic Games in Tokyo joined the training camp, encouraging new players to learn different techniques and strategies that helped them to succeed on the international stage.

Many theoretical sessions complemented the practical aspect of the camp, focusing on rules, most common rubbers used in different classes, ways to upgrade the wheelchair and many other important aspects for athletes’ development.

The training hall offered very good training conditions, and the accommodation was completely accessible for PTT athletes. In addition, several national able-bodied athletes supported the camp in the daily training sessions, which increased the technical training level of the camp.