ITTF Foundation at the 2025 Spanish Parkinson’s Table Tennis Championships

On 14–15 April, the city of Alcobendas (Madrid) hosted the second edition of the Spanish Parkinson’s Table Tennis Championships — a growing and inspiring event that continues to unite people with Parkinson’s through the power of table tennis. With 80 passionate participants, including 12 women, this edition brought together players from across Spain in a vibrant celebration of competition, resilience, and sportsmanship.

Representing the ITTF Foundation was our Health Impact Manager, Ramón Ortega Montes, who played a crucial role in the Foundation’s TT4Health programme and in strengthening our bonds with the Parkinson’s community and further deepening our commitment to health-focused table tennis events.

A Growing Health Movement Linking Parkinson’s and Table Tennis

Organised by the Royal Spanish Table Tennis Federation (RFETM), the 2025 Spanish Parkinson’s Championships took place just days after World Parkinson’s Day (11 April), highlighting the important intersection between sport and health.

With a remarkable 45% increase in participation compared to last year, the event underscored a growing interest and need for accessible sporting opportunities for people with Parkinson’s. This year, the competition featured multiple categories based on participants’ sporting levels, diagnosis timelines, and stages of Parkinson’s, ensuring a fair and enriching experience for all.

ITTF Foundation’s Involvement at the Event

As part of the ITTF Foundation’s commitment to promoting health through table tennis, Ramón led several activities tailored specifically for players with Parkinson’s during the tournament:

• Warm-Up Exercises: Ramón introduced two specially designed warm-up routines focused on enhancing hand-eye coordination, balance, and concentration for the players with Parkinson’s.

• Focused Training Clinic: Ramón also delivered a short clinic featuring targeted training exercises to help players with Parkinson’s improve balance, coordination, focus, and memory, as well as manage tremors in either the racket or free hand. These exercises aimed to empower players not only in sport but also in everyday mobility and well-being.

• Recognising Participants: In a spirit of inclusion and celebration, Ramón joined the official delegation to award medals to the participants, both during the podium ceremonies and through commemorative presentations, honouring their effort and dedication.

• Promoting the SWAN Project: The event also served as a valuable opportunity to raise awareness about the SWAN project. Ramón engaged with various stakeholders and clubs dedicated to Parkinson’s-related table tennis initiatives to identify good practices that could be shared, featured, or recruited as part of the SWAN project’s knowledge exchange.

As we continue our journey to improve health through table tennis and gear up for the 2025 World Table Tennis for Health Festival, the ITTF Foundation remains deeply committed to supporting the Parkinson’s table tennis community worldwide and promoting the therapeutic benefits of the sport. Participation in events like this forms part of our broader effort to make table tennis a powerful tool for well-being and empowerment. We proudly stand alongside organisers, federations, and players in advancing opportunities for people with Parkinson’s to thrive through the sport.

Thank you to the RFETM, the city of Alcobendas, and all the athletes, coaches, and supporters who made this event a memorable and meaningful experience. Together, we move forward towards health and inclusivity.

(All photos courtesy of Alvaro Diaz – RFETM)