UAE table tennis gets major boost

Dubai: An initiative that bids to make table tennis as popular here as it is in China was launched in Dubai by the UAE national team this week.

Standing alongside world No 1 Xin Xu, who helped the Chinese national team star at the recent World Championships in Paris and is supporting the programme, UAE player Rashid Abdul Hamid on Wednesday unveiled details of the Ping Pong Dubai project, which aims to increase grassroots participation in the sport here.

“Table tennis has a rich tradition throughout the world for bringing people together and the great thing about the game is that anyone — regardless of age, ability and fitness — can enjoy playing,” said Abdul Hamid, who this week enjoyed beating the US to achieve the best finish for the UAE in a world championships. “Ping Pong Dubai is a community initiative with a simple aim — to encourage people from all walks of life to pick up a bat and discover that table tennis is a fun and social way to be more active. We have an exciting calendar of accessible events and activities which we hope will inspire people to get involved and help stimulate the sport’s growth.”

The Chinese national team, which is sponsored by Dubai, is firmly behind the programme. “Ping pong is embedded into the fabric of life in China so we are always pleased to see the sport being developed in international markets,” said Xin. “It is particularly exciting to see that Dubai, in addition to supporting the China team, is strengthening its commitment to the game.”

Ping Pong Dubai is a non-profit venture between the UAE Table Tennis Association, Dubai Sports Council and Falcon and Associates, which made the sponsorship of the Chinese team possible.

The initiative will kick off with an inaugural event at Dubai Sports World — the largest indoor summer sports event in the Middle East — taking place from June 21 to August 21 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Twelve free-to-use tables will be located in Shaikh Saeed Hall, while UAE players and coaches will make regular appearances to help inspire youngsters as well as guide players on how to get the most from the game. Details of when coaches will be available will be posted on the Ping Pong Dubai Facebook page, along with regular updates on forthcoming events and activities.