'NeuroPong' Event at Huntsman World Senior Games
What is Happening
What is Happening
- We are pleased to announce that a new ‘NeuroPong’ table tennis event will be held at the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George UT in October 2022.
Where
What is Happening
- St. George, Utah.
When
- Dates of the tournament are Monday, October 3 through Thursday, October 6.
- The date of this pilot ‘NeuroPong’ event is October 3.
Who
- Antonino Barbera, MD, founder and CEO of ‘Table Tennis Connections’ will help to coordinate this pilot event, and will do so with organizational assistance from ‘Ping Pong Parkinson.' This event will involve 16 players with the following chronic progressive neurological conditions that affect movement and cognitive ability: Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).
Why
Why (contd)
- In holding this event, we want to offer an official stage to people experiencing these neurological conditions, dispelling the big taboo very often associated with them, both in sports and in society as a whole.
Why (contd)
Why (contd)
- We live in a time of celebrating life, and we are talking about life lived with quality, no matter what your mental and physical capabilities may be. These conditions are sometimes called “invisible diseases” but instead, we want to create an opportunity to shine some light on the effort that many people make to continue their journey.
Registration specifics
The 16 players may enter the ‘NeuroPong’ event in 2 different ways:
- if they wish to participate in ONLY this pilot event, they need to register as an 'Official Fan.' In doing so, they will NOT be in the total count of the 225 players in the Huntsman World Senior Games table tennis tournament.
- if they would like to ALSO play in other Age and Rated events, and are a USATT member (a requirement), they need to register as an 'Athlete.' In doing so, they WILL be in the total count of the 225 players.
Regardless of which way they enter, in order to be accepted in the ‘NeuroPong’ event, the 16 players will need to email the following documentation to abarbera@tabletennisconnections.org
- for players with Parkinson's Disease: a document released by their neurologist that will attest to their Hohen-Yahr Scale Stage. Only people with Stage 1, 2 and 3 on this Scale will be allowed to participate at this time.
- for players with Multiple Sclerosis: a document released by their neurologist that will attest to their Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Only people with a score between 0 and 5.0 in their EDSS will be allowed to participate at this time.
- for players with MCI: a document released by their neurologist that will attest to their diagnosis.
Contact
The player’s physician is more than welcome to communicate directly with Antonino Barbera, MD for any questions and/or clarification using the following email:
October 3rd 2022 - The first NeuroPong Event
