What is table tennis game? Know its rules and history, India hopes for medal in 2024 Paris Olympics

Like tennis, table tennis is also played with a racket and a ball. The only difference is that table tennis is played on a table which is also clear from its name. Table tennis is played between two players or doubles teams.

invention of table tennis

Table tennis has been invented in different places and times, but its origins have changed significantly. It was commonly played in England in the mid-19th century, when people called it “whiff-whaff”.

The official name of table tennis is “ping pong”, and its creation is credited to Gainsley Dane, a 19th-century Victorian era ruler of northern England. Especially around 1880, it was designed as entertainment for children.

rules of table tennis

There are some main rules for playing table tennis which players have to follow. These rules are sanctioned by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and are designed to keep the game fair and stable.

Start of all: At the beginning of the game, the first serve is made by any one player.

The serve can be made from any corner, but the ball must touch the puck and fall into the opposition’s zone.

Limit of serve: Serves must be made from a height of only 6 inches.

Point calculation: Each game has 11 points, but whenever the score is 10–10, each serve is played for one ball each, and whichever player wins 2 points first wins the game.

Speed ​​of ball: The ball must be hit high, and must go inside its own zone, if it is for a point.

During the rally: Players have the opportunity to hit the ball with each other, and they attempt to continue the rally until someone makes a mistake or the ball goes out of play.

System to get all: Each player is given two serves, and then every third serve changes.

Face in opposition field: The player must always face the opposition’s field, and must be mindful of the direction of his ball.

Table Tennis and the Olympics

The first World Championship was held in London in the year 1926. But he made his mark in the Olympics in the 1988 Olympic Games held in Seoul, South Korea. Earlier, table tennis was not included in the Olympic programme. Table tennis emerged as a result of public research and development conducted at that time and made its first appearance as a single-player game.

Table tennis’ involvement in the Olympics has continued to grow since Seoul 1988 and has become a major Olympic sport, taking place every four years. This includes individual, duo and mixed team events.

India hopes for medal in table tennis in Paris Olympics 2024

Last year i.e. in the Asian Games held in 2023, the pair of Sutirtha Mukherjee and Ahika Mukherjee had won India its first bronze medal in the women’s doubles event. After which the Indian women’s team had created history. However, both these players missed out on gold and silver medals. But once again the country is hoping for a medal in table tennis in the Paris Olympics 2024 to be held this year. The countrymen have hopes of a medal in the Olympics this time.