Over 200 Dubai residents participate in World Table Tennis Day

Ping pong players were out in full force in Dubai Thursday, as the official World Table Tennis Day saw enthusiasts from across Dubai taking up their bats and joining the fun.

After a great start to the activities on Friday, when more than 200 people participated in the World Table Tennis Day tournament at Al Wasl Club, the momentum continued with the free-to-play tables in DIFC a hive of activity all day. Office workers took the chance to test their skills against their colleagues on the free-to-play tables in front of Caramel Restaurant while many looked on, before the more serious players got down to business in the Corporate Challenge in the DIFC Atrium at 6.30pm.

After some tough competition Mohammad Bannout, Altherenz Bautista and Ravish Tripathi took the gold, silver and bronze medals in the men’s division, while the women’s division was won by Gem Palomar, with Kristine Padre winning silver and Ann Sarol taking the bronze.

For those looking for more opportunities to hone their skills, free-to-play tables are also at Ripe Market in Zabeel Park every Friday until 21 April.

But the action doesn’t stop there, with some of the best players in the world heading to Dubai in just a few weeks’ time to compete in the Dubai Table Tennis Asian Cup. The line-up of competitors is superb and includes London 2012 gold medallist, Zhang Jike and defending Asian Cup champion and World No 3 Xu Xin.