[Published on Tuesday, 30 June 2026]
BY ELTON LONARATHA JNR
In Hamilton, NZ
SOLOMON Islands Table Tennis Federation (SITTF) Development Officer and coach, Gary Edward Nuopula, has been appointed assistant coach of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)-Oceania Talent Team for the 2026 Table Tennis Australia (TTA) National Championships.
The championships will be held in Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia, from July 3-12.
Announcing the appointment, ITTF-Oceania Chief Executive Officer Scott Houston described Nuopula as one of the region’s leading coaches and an important contributor to the future of the Olympic movement in Oceania.
“He is regarded as an important contributor to the future of the Olympic movement in Oceania,” Houston said.
He added that Nuopula’s participation will be fully funded by ITTF-Oceania, with the organisation covering his airfare, visa, accommodation, hospitality and ground transportation.
The appointment marks a major breakthrough for Nuopula and highlights the continued growth of table tennis in both the Solomon Islands and the wider Oceania region.
Welcoming the opportunity, Nuopula said the appointment is also an encouraging sign for the country’s elite athletes.
“This is the beginning of what I have been working towards with our elite athletes in the Solomon Islands over the past few years.
“It is a reminder that opportunities are available for athletes who are willing to work hard, stay disciplined and commit to the process,” he said.
Nuopula said the international coaching role will provide valuable experience that he hopes to bring back to strengthen the Solomon Islands’ high-performance programme and inspire the next generation of table tennis players.
He is scheduled to depart for Australia on Friday.
Photo credit: Elton Lonaratha Jnr
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