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| Sunday, 8 May 2005 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Table tennis, a sport for all
Easy to learn at a basic level, table tennis is a 'Sport for all' and a 'Sport for life' - anyone can play and continue to play at any age. It is an enjoyable, safe, healthy sport, particularly good for developing alertness and co-ordination. The physical, mental and skill demands are much greater at a professional level. Table tennis can be played in singles and doubles, and although the games have traditionally been up to 21 points now games are played to 11 points. Each side serves for two points then the serve switches. A match is the best when it's 2 out of 3, 3 out of 5 or 4 out of 7 games. You must win by 2 points. At 10-10 the score is deuce and the players alternate serves. Another benefit of playing this sport is that at a basic level, table tennis is easy to set up, space efficient, versatile (can be played almost anywhere), non-weather dependent (except when played outdoors), and equipment (tables, nets, rackets and balls) is relatively inexpensive. However, at a higher level there are specific requirements regarding the size of hall, lighting, flooring and so on. According to the level of competition, players go in for higher quality equipment and clothing. Table tennis, also known as Ping-Pong (that name is trademarked), is the second most played sport in the world as well as the newest of the world's major sports. Ping Pong ball is the official name for the sport in China. The sport had its origins as a parlour game in England since the1880's. Table Tennis has been an Olympic sport since 1988 and the world's
biggest racket sport, which is played by around two million people in
Britain and 300 million people worldwide. |
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| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
Still cannot figure out what's the best sport for you? Then you have to
try playing table tennis, because you will end up loving the game. 
