Record-high registration numbers achieved for the World Table Tennis for Health Festival

The registration for the highly anticipated 2024 World Table Tennis for Health Festival has officially closed, and the ITTF Foundation is thrilled to announce that the registration number for this edition has broken the record! With just under a month to go, the Festival is set to bring together a diverse group of participants from around the globe. A historic 166 players with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s from 26 countries and territories across 4 continents (Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania) have registered, marking the largest-ever turnout in the event’s history! Including accompanying persons, coaches, Congress attendees, and event officials, over 280 people will gather in Maizières-lès-Metz, France, from October 23 to 27 to celebrate table tennis as a powerful tool for health and well-being!

This year, the registration for the Festival has seen a fundamental growth in scale and reach. The World Parkinson’s Table Tennis Championships will welcome 157 players this year, three times the number of participants compared to the previous edition. This upcoming fourth edition of Parkinson’s Championships will see the most vibrant and diverse participation since its inception in 2019. The World Alzheimer’s Table Tennis Championships, a growing segment of the Festival, has also expanded to include players from 2 additional countries and territories. The World Table Tennis for Health Congress continues to draw a wide audience, with on-site attendees already confirmed from 8 more countries and territories than in previous years, and registration for virtual participation is still open (click here).

Donate to the Festival: Expanding the event's impact!

As we celebrate this record-breaking participation, we have also launched a donation campaign to further enhance the Festival’s impact, particularly the World Parkinson’s Table Tennis Championships. Over the past three editions, more than 500 players and caregivers have benefited from the Championships, which has become more than just a competition—it’s a testimony of hope for individuals facing neurodegenerative diseases. This year’s record-high participation marks a significant landmark in our mission to promote the health benefits of table tennis for people with neurodegenerative conditions. To build on this milestone, we are calling for your support to expand the reach of this meaningful event!

By contributing to our campaign, you can ensure that more players with Parkinson’s can participate in future Championships. Every donation, as little as 18 euros, will substantially support players who may not have had the opportunity to participate and enhance the experience of players who will take part in the event in the next month and years to come.

The campaign is now live on Global Giving platform! Click here to learn how you can contribute to the Parkinson’s table tennis community.

Be part of the change today!

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have registered for the 2024 World Table Tennis for Health Festival, making this record-breaking participation a reality. While registration for the Championships is now closed, there are still multiple ways to support our movement to promote table tennis for health. We invite you to sign up and join the Congress virtually, stay tuned for the Festival, explore our donation campaign and contribute to the success of this unique event. Together, let’s help bring the benefits of table tennis to more people around the world.