🏓❤️ What an unforgettable three days it has been at the 1st PingPongParkinson Mediterranean Games!
From 26–28 June 2026, participants from Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Malta and Slovenia came together to celebrate sport, friendship, inclusion and hope. The programme included two days of training followed by one day of competition, where the true spirit of PingPongParkinson™ shone through. Furthermore, a cultural tour and dinner in the historic city of Mdina concluded the programme of events.
Training Days
The training sessions were conducted by the coaching team of Katia Mifsud and Giovanni Capri from Alpha TTK. The energy and assistance of the club volunteers made sure that this event was a memorable and special experience for all who participated.
Competition Day
Unlike traditional sporting events, there were no overall winners. Every participant competed together regardless of their table tennis level or physical abilities. This reflected the values of PingPongParkinson – that participation, determination and community matter far more than results.
Final Celebration
At the closing ceremony, every participant was recognised as a winner, receiving a certificate and a commemorative memento in recognition of their courage, commitment and inspiring spirit.
PingPongParkinson founder Nenad Bach summed up the event perfectly:
The Alpha Table Tennis Klabb volunteers made us all feel welcome. The seeds have been planted and we will now give them our attention to make them grow.
The Head of the PPP Italy Team, Giacomino Iob, added these inspiring words:
“A seed has been planted, as Nenad said, and we will help it grow strong and resilient so that it bears good fruit. The atmosphere that has been created is the right one—one where the person always remains at the centre. We must not give up, and we never will, because ours is a mission in support of life and humanity, faithful to the motto: ‘If you can, then you must.”
These words perfectly capture what these 1st PingPongParkinson Mediterranean Games have been about: people first, friendships without borders, and the shared belief that movement, sport and human connection can make a real difference in the lives of people living with Parkinson’s.
In summary, this first edition has planted the seeds for something truly special, and we look forward to seeing the PingPongParkinson Mediterranean Games continue to grow in the years ahead.
🙏 A sincere thank you to our sponsors:
🤝 Heartfelt thanks also to our collaborators:
- Institute for Physical Education and Sport
- SportMalta
- Malta Table Tennis Association
- Bad Boy Cleaners
- Farsons Group
- Alf Mizzi & Sons Ltd
- Print Right Ltd
- GEWO Table Tennis
Finally, our deepest appreciation goes to the incredible volunteers of Alpha Table Tennis Klabb, whose dedication, warmth and hard work made this event possible, and to every participant, coach and supporter who helped make history at the inaugural PingPongParkinson™ Mediterranean Games.
Together, we have planted a seed that will continue to grow.
🇲🇹🏓❤️