Sports & Recreation — Table Tennis

Table Tennis is a fun and inclusive sport for the entire family. Everyone, including quads and those who use power chairs, can play competitively.

In the early 1880s, indoor tennis, the earliest form of table tennis, was first played. Lids from cigar boxes were used as paddles; rounded corks from wine bottles were used as balls; a row of books in the middle of the table formed the net. Table tennis is also referred to as “ping pong.” Ping pong represents the sound of the ball hitting the paddle and then the table. Ping pong was a trade name and was sold to Parker Brothers. The American Ping Pong Association was formed in 1930.

In Table Tennis, rules and regulations are basically the same as in traditional Table Tennis. The sport allows individuals with disabilities the opportunity to play tennis with their family and friends regardless if they have a disability or not. Proficient wheelchair users can play and actively compete against standup players.