Sports changed me: Lainiana

Twenty four year-old Laniana Ere Serukalou thought that her disability would limit her from sports. But it was sports that changed her life. Serukalou was a member of the Fiji Disabled Person’s Federation in Ba since 2012. She became the Ba branch vice-president in 2016. It was then she was introduced to table tennis when she moved over to Suva.

She learnt from the best, a gold medallist in para-table tennis, Merewalesi Roden.

“When I began playing the game it changed the way I looked at it and the way I played it from disliking it to having a passion for the game,” she said.

“I’ve come to love table tennis and I would advocate it and encourage people to try it out and see for themselves.

“Mrs Roden then called me about the umpire course that was held in January 2016 at Fiji Table Tennis Centre in Laucala.”

NEW EXPERIENCE

Moving to Suva, away from her family, was a life changing experience for Serukalou.

“At the same time I was taken out of my isolation to meet new people and this inspired and motivated me to try out new things and live life,” she said.

“The major change took place was personal independence. When I lived with my family everyone was always very caring and loving and out of this genuine care was a subtle limitation.

“I guess I didn’t have enough opportunity to discover my physical potential and abilities.

“This course gave me a lot of knowledge and insight on the laws and regulations of the game and how it is played.

“I would like to thank Fiji Table Tennis Association for being inclusive and the coaches for their hard work and being caring.

“As well as the Smash down Barrie’s Programme that enabled me to overcome my fears and become a better and capable person,” she added.

“The game became more than just a game it became the very vehicle of developmental changes inside of my physicality, mentality and emotions.

“I discovered new physical abilities and it gave me a boost of confidence in my personal independence.

“I thank God for the faith he birthed inside my heart that made me understand that there was a reason behind all that has happened whether how hard it was.” Serukalou is a Fiji Table Tennis Association development officers.