Table Tennis is a very beneficial sport that is overshadowed here in Alberta by other more popular sports and modern technological forms of entertainment.

Table Tennis or “Ping-Pong” is not as popular as hockey and basketball which are one of the leading sports here in Canada. However, there is a great amount of entertainment and exercise that a person can gain from playing it.

To play the game, two or four people in groups of two stay on opposite sides of the table and hit the ball back and forth using their rackets.

The game is more complex than it looks as it requires agility and stamina. There are also different tricks and tactics that a player can utilize to one-up the opponent.

Players need to react quickly to hit the ball, practicing their hand-eye coordination. More so, it also heavily relies on footwork as the ball can land on different distances from the player.

It may not be as physically demanding as the other sports but if it was played for a longer period, it would definitely stretch your muscles and make you sweat.

“It’s not popular [table tennis] in Calgary.” said Lily in a one-on-one interview together with her husband, Bobby Chen.

“There are only two official clubs, actually. This one, Peoples Table Tennis Club and the other, CUSTTA.” CUSTTA, Calgary United Sports Table Tennis Association, is only a few walks away from PTTC.

Lily and Bobby Chan are a couple who both volunteer for Peoples Table Tennis Club located in 33^rd Street, Northeast of Calgary. They still enjoy playing table tennis despite their age, 71 and 88 respectively.

According to Lily, some table tennis games are managed by schools, communities and other organizations. They only provide approximately two to three tables and are only available for around two hours, for one to three days a week.

There is also a sort of exclusivity of playing in organizations because it is only intended for its members. On the other hand, the two clubs are open for everyone.

Bobby added that the location is also a factor. The only two official clubs are both in Northeast and are only a couple of walks away from each other.

People who live particularly in Southwest are far away from the influence of the clubs.

Lily also added that most kids nowadays are putting their attention to gadgets and they do not go outside very often. Their attention is focused towards things that, while they may be beneficial, are lacking in physical aspect.

Bobby advocates that there should be at least one table tennis that is accessible to districts or even to communities.

Bobby has personally gone a long way in promoting and supporting table tennis in Calgary ever since he moved in to the city.

He has formed multiple teams and organizations and moved from one place to another to find ways so that people can play ping-pong. He wishes that the city will put more attention to the sport.

Meanwhile, the Alberta Table Tennis Association has organized several events including the second day of CUSTTA Spring Open 2019 which will happen in May 4.

There will also be several Summer camps organized by ATTA. More information about events related to table tennis will be found on their website, abtabletennis.com.