Taking part in the tournament, divided into several groups by age and sex, are a large number of disabled persons. Competitions are made in singles and doubles.

According to Yun Chol, secretary of the Korean Sports Association for the Disabled, disabled persons' desire to attend this annual sports event has grown stronger. They are greatly encouraged by the social welfare system, sports enthusiasm running high in the country and good results made in international para games.

Similar table-tennis contests took place in South Hamgyong, North Phyongan and Kangwon provinces, the secretary noted, adding he felt the advantages of the socialist system at the happy looks of disabled persons mixed with normal ones.

In the knockout singles of the disabled at the tournament, Ri Yong Nam, a doctor at the Railway Ministry Hospital, came first with five wins. He told KCNA that though he is a disabled man he would work harder for the society and collective while steadily developing his table-tennis technique.

Experts say that the double matches to be held on Dec. 27, the last day of the tournament, will be more interesting as competitions are to be made by pairs of a disabled person and an amateur.