Table tennis for me: Latu

Akanisi Latu, 57, thought her disability would restrict her participation in sports. It was not until she was introduced to table tennis by colleagues Sainimili Naivalu and Pacific Games gold medalist Mere Roden in 2014.

The Vuma, Ovalau native tagged along for fun but she has grown to love the sport ever since.

Latu said she was not often recognised in her own community as she was confined to her wheelchair.

However, her participation in table tennis has made people see her ability and her achievements proving her age and disability was not a barrier.

“I chose to tell this story because a lot of women with disabilities at my age think they cannot participate in sports,” she said.

“This is to encourage them and help them change their mindset about what they can do.

“Table tennis is now part of my life. I would like to thank Fiji Table Tennis Association and Pacific Sports Partnership (PSP) Smash down Barriers Programme for changing my life completely.”

PSP is an Australian Government programme funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The programme aims to increase levels of regular participation in quality table tennis activities by people with disability.