SUSS Table Tennis Competition Group x Table Tennis Association for the Disabled (Singapore): Sports For Good, Table Tennis with the Community

On 17 August 2026, the SUSS Table Tennis Competition Group partnered with the Table Tennis Association for the Disabled (Singapore) (TTADS) for Sports For Good: Table Tennis with the Community, a two-hour session held at the OCBC Arena Hall. The event brought together student-athletes and para-athletes through sport, meaningful interaction, and friendly competition.

Group session picture with TTADS athletes and coaches

The session began with a sharing by TTADS Head Coach Goh Chyuan, who introduced students to the athletes' backgrounds, the various para table tennis sport classes, and the rules that would shape the matches. For many of the 11 SUSS student volunteers and one SUSS alumnus in attendance, it was their first experience playing table tennis with para-athletes, making the introduction a valuable learning opportunity before stepping onto the court.

Head Coach Goh Chyuan explaining para table tennis rules and player classes to SUSS student-athletes

Students then paired up with TTADS athletes for singles matches, competing alongside both standing and wheelchair athletes. Before and after each match, students had the opportunity to engage with the athletes and learn more about their experiences and journeys in para sport.

The matches quickly became competitive. At first, some students held back on their attacks, concerned that playing too aggressively might place the athletes at a disadvantage. However, conversations during breaks soon changed their perspective. The athletes demonstrated their ability to block powerful shots, sustain long rallies, and employ highly developed tactics to challenge their opponents.

SUSS students competing against TTADS para-athletes

For Women's Captain Angela Chan Yu Zhi, the experience prompted her to reflect on assumptions she had not realised she held about disability and sport.

“Getting to learn the modified table tennis rules and train alongside the para-athletes helped me unlearn assumptions about disability and sports,” she reflected. “Passion, skills, and competitiveness in the sport look different for everyone, but they are equally real.”

Men's Vice-Captain Muhammad Ridzeman was similarly inspired by the athletes' determination and resourcefulness. Hearing about the different paths that had brought some athletes to table tennis, whether through lifelong disabilities or disabilities acquired later in life, gave him a deeper appreciation of sport as a source of empowerment and fulfilment. He was also fascinated by how table tennis fosters an inclusive sporting environment through its technical, skill-based nature.

Doubles in action

For Women's Vice-Captain Skylar Choo You Le, the experience was both challenging and enjoyable. “The match made me feel competitive and excited as I was trying my best to navigate the game,” she shared. “Some matches were even tougher than normal matches because the shots were placed so precisely. Seeing how engaged and enthusiastic the players were made the experience even more enjoyable.”

Beyond the matches themselves, the session strengthened students' empathy, communication skills, and understanding of what genuine inclusion can look like. As Angela noted, the experience gave her a stronger sense of social responsibility and encouraged her to think about how spaces can be made “genuinely inclusive, not just accessible”.

Student interacting with a TTADS athlete between matches

The session was also well received by TTADS, with athletes appreciating the opportunity to compete with players from different backgrounds and skill levels within the wider community. The organisation expressed its gratitude for the students' participation and looks forward to welcoming the SUSS Table Tennis Competition Group back for future sessions.

Ultimately, the inaugural Sports For Good session with TTADS demonstrated that inclusion is a two-way street. While SUSS students gained new perspectives on disability, para sport, and the possibilities of inclusive competition, TTADS athletes enjoyed an opportunity to train, compete, and connect with fellow table tennis players from the SUSS community. Through sport, both groups challenged one another, learned from one another, and shared a competitive, meaningful, and enjoyable experience.