Times have been tough for the men’s and women’s UK table tennis teams lately. UK Sport was forced by funding shortfalls to cut the budget for table tennis by 50% and, at the recent ITTF World Tour Grand Finale international event at the Excel Arena in London, sparse crowds watched the UK’s future Olympians defeated at the hands of players from nations with much higher levels of government support, such as China and Japan.
This situation may be surprising to those who have heard about the tremendous growth the sport has been going through in this country. And these reports are true: the number of adults playing the sport in the UK has increased from 75,600 to 114,800 since 2007, tens of thousands of younger people have taken it up, and table tennis is one of only four sports that has seen the number of participants go up rather than down in recent years. But, so far, this grass-roots explosion has not translated to greater success or public interest at the national level and, despite having a home advantage, the UK team will have their work cut out to win any medals at the upcoming Olympic Games.
Nevertheless, it is important that we all find a way to do everything we can to support our national table tennis team, because table tennis is a fun and exciting sport that has the potential to encourage a greater general interest in sports and healthy living. In addition to the popularity of the sport at indoor facilities and even in many of the trendier clubs, outdoor table tennis tables are also beginning to pop up in a lot of different places, and this is a very good development. But we need to expand the number of outdoor table tennis tables available in parks, on beaches, in schoolyards and in common areas everywhere, so that even more people can discover the joy and excitement provided by this interesting and fun sport.
Caloo knows a thing or two about how to make outstanding outdoor table tennis tables, and they are constantly expanding their line to include more exciting options. No matter which model a customer prefers, however, all of Caloo’s outdoor table tennis tables have a sleek, attractive profile, the same incredible durability and resistance to damage or destruction, and the same advanced anti-glare and anti-fade properties. Outdoor table tennis tables can foster a real love for the sport because of the fresh air, fun-in-the-sun playing experience they offer, which is why purchasing and installing one of Caloo’s brilliantly designed and constructed outdoor table tennis tables can make such a positive impact on the lives of many.
Hopefully, the UK will produce numerous great champions in this sport in the future. But, even more importantly, we must also hope that the expanding popularity of table tennis will help produce a healthier and more physically active nation in the years to come. This is where outdoor table tennis tables freely available everywhere can make the decisive difference.
