Special student Lai positive of performance
Eparama Lai is adamant of a positive performance at the 2017 Oceania Para Championships at the Vodafone Arena on April 13-16.
The 14-year-old attends Nausori Special School and is the youngest player in the team and has been playing table tennis for two years. The Oceania Para Championships will start next week alongside the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Oceania Junior Championships team event and the ITTF Oceania Junior individual event on April 13-16 at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.
“I am really excited and happy that I will be playing next week, I have been looking forward to the competition,” he said.
“I want to play against other participants from around the region and see how good I am when I play against them.
“I have been playing table tennis for a long time now and I really want to test my skills against the best around the region.
“This is an exciting moment not only for me but other players as well who are in wheelchairs, they get to represent their country and play against professional athletes.”
Lai said he wants to be an inspiration to children his age who have disabilities to encourage them to chase their dreams regardless of their physical situation.
“Being in a wheelchair should not limit anyone and that is what I want to portray to every child out there around my age,’ he said.
“I have met a lot of good people who have supported me and helped me grow so I want to help other kids out there and tell them that nothing should stop them from achieving their dreams or goals.”