Slovenia is set to host the ITTF Paralympic world qualification tournament from tomorrow ©Lasko 2021

A total of 21 places in the table tennis competition at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will be up for grabs at the world qualification tournament in the Slovenian town of Laško.

The event, which begins tomorrow and is due to conclude on Saturday (June 5), is the first-ever standalone world Paralympic table tennis qualifier.

It will be held under a series of COVID-19 protocols designed to protect the health and safety of participants.

Players will be restricted to their hotel rooms and the competition venue in a bid to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus.

More than 200 players have entered the tournament, where the winners of each class will qualify for the delayed Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

A total of 21 spots at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics are on offer at the qualifier ©Getty Images
A total of 21 spots at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics are on offer at the qualifier ©Getty Images

"The qualifications will be different, special due to the COVID-19 conditions," said the event's sports manager Gorazd Vecko.

"The players will be restricted to their hotel rooms and the venue. 

"When they are done playing, they will be going straight back to the hotel. 

"It will be a great challenge for all of us.

"Last year, when the qualifications were postponed, we had 250 entries. 

"We will have more than 200 from over 50 countries this year, as well. 

"It is no wonder, though, since players want to go compete in Tokyo."

The table tennis tournaments at Tokyo 2020 are set to be held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.