National table tennis rep, Sally Yee will be flying out to Australia on June 7 to prepare for the Rio Olympics in August.

Yee will compete in the 2016 International Table Tennis (ITTF) World Tour Australian Open before going to Sydney for a one-week training camp.

The 15-year-old Jai Narayan College student qualified for the Rio Olympics after finishing third in the Oceania Championships in Bendigo in March.

Though playing table tennis for six years, Yee said playing at an Olympic event was never a dream of hers until now.

“It is an exciting feeling knowing that I have qualified for an Olympic event which is something I never thought would have been possible,” Yee said.

“I have never actually dreamt of being in this position where I would have the opportunity to represent my country at such a prestigious event.

“So knowing that all my hard work and sacrifice has paid off, it is an overwhelming feeling.

“The Olympics is a big event where the best athletes from around the world come to compete, knowing that I will be one of those athletes is a proud moment for me.”

Being a minor sport in the country, table tennis has not only taken Yee to places outside of Fiji she could only dream of but built her up as the confident and hardworking young woman she is today.

“I got into table tennis from my parents, they brought me into this sport and so far my journey until this day has been fun,” she said.

“I have never travelled outside of Fiji until I took up table tennis; it has taken me to places I never thought I’d be able to go.

“Knowing now that I have made it to the Olympics I really need to make more sacrifices, more intense training and hard work.

“I think taking up table tennis and schooling at the same has taught me to manage my time properly and balance out my school work and playing my favourite sport.

“I am glad I have taken up this sport and I encourage more people to play table tennis, it is a sport for all ages, you get to travel and play for the country and most importantly it’s not dangerous, its fun.”

Meanwhile, Sally’s mum Harvi Yee, who is a Fiji Table Tennis Association development officer, said she has never been more proud of her daughter as her achievement has boosted the popularity of the sport.

“I am really happy and proud of how far she (Sally) has come in the sport of table tennis and also qualifying for the Olympics,” Harvi said.

“Sally’s qualification into the Olympics is a huge boost for the sport because it will be the first time for table tennis to qualify.

“We are looking forward and praying hard she prepares well.”

The Yee family thanked FASANOC, Fijian National Sports Commission, the Government, table tennis family especially Anthony Ho and table tennis supporters.

Edited by Osea Bola

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