Registration for the first ever World Table Tennis for Health Festival (WTT4H Festival) in Crete, Greece is now open.

From November 1-5, the Mediterranean island will host World Parkinson’s Table Tennis Championships, along with the inaugural World Alzheimer’s Table Tennis Championships and World Table Tennis for Health Congress.

Last held in Berlin in 2021, the World Parkinson’s Table Tennis Championships provide a high-level competition for athletes with the condition. Medical professionals have shown how the regular practice of table tennis helps combat some of the long-term effects of the disease.

Registration for the two championships is open until October 1. Athletes interested in participating can sign up here. Anybody can register for the Championships, with no need to be nominated by any organisation. The ITTF Foundation particularly encourages females and people from all continents to attend and participate to send a message of encouragement to all those having cognitive disorders and prove how the practice of table tennis can improve the health of everyone.

In Berlin, 136 participants from 24 countries competed in a total of 431 matches. We are expecting to exceed that number in Crete so make sure to sign up today. The enthusiasm from the 2021 event, helped create the inaugural World Table Tennis For Health Festival, which expands beyond just the Parkinson’s championships to include other neurodegenerative diseases, which regular table tennis activity can improve.

Hosted by the Hellenic Table Tennis Federation, the WTT4H Festival will bring players, officials, delegates, and other stakeholders to Crete for competition and the first-ever World Table Tennis for Health Conference.

The World Alzheimer’s Championship aims to build off a growing community of table tennis players who are using the sport as part of treatment plans. Each championship aims to foster these communities to help connect and make meaningful exchanges.

The WTT4H Festival will promote the positive benefits of playing table tennis on one’s health in general, not only on people with the mentioned diseases, but also for sickness prevention and staying active in daily life.

For those looking to attend the WTT4H Festival can purchase ticket packages through the Local Organising Committee. Packages include a room rate, full board, complimentary Wi-Fi, and full tax charges, transportation of the regular shuttle service to and from hotels and venues, airport transfers, participation fee, and farewell party.

Early bird offer

Participants who register until 1st of July 2023 at 23:59 CEST will receive a EUR 100,- discount on the official packages.

Sustainability

The event will collaborate with AllForBlue NGO in an interactive environmental activity, a fun team activity, to learn more about the marine ecosystem and actively clean the beach for the balance of marine ecosystems and to avoid single use plastics. This fits in with the ITTF Group’s year of sustainability for 2023.

Click here for more information about the 2023 WTT4H Festival.

Click here to register for 2023 World Parkinson’s Table Tennis Championships.