8. Table Tennis

The origin of Table Tennis game is some what confusing. IT is believed that Table Tennis originated, must probably, in the 9th century in England. This game was initially played by the name of ‘Gossima’ which was renamed as ‘Ping-Pong’ deriving this word from the sound of the ball hitting the bat, but latter on in 1922 A.D. It was given the modern name of ‘Table-Tennis’. It is believed that ‘Sir James Gibbs’ in 1889 A.D. developed the modern game Table Tennis in England. Historian agrees that the game Table Tennis was started by the British Military officers and they introduced the game in other countries.
We can play the game in two ways:
i) Single Game: In singles two players take their position at each end of the table. The winner of the toss has the choice of ends or the option of serving or receiving first. The game start with the service whoever serves first must strike the ball so that it bounces once on their side of the net before it enters the opponents court. Thus, the period during which the ball is in play shall be termed as a ‘rally. While playing the game the player who first strikes the ball during a rally shall be termed as ‘Server’ and the play who next strikes the ball shall be called the ‘receiver’. During the play, if the player loses the rally the opponent scores a point, and after every two serves the service passes to the opposing side. Thus, the first player to score. Points win the game if there is a score of 10-all the service is executed alternately and the player first to score two points more than the opponent wins. A match is the best 2 out of 3, 3 out of 5 or 4 out of 7.
ii) Double Game: The double or mixed double game of Table-Tennis is played by four players. The team winner of the toss has the choice of ends or the option of serving or receiving first. The game starts with the service. In doubles the first two services shall be delivered by the selected partner of the pair who has the right to do and shall be received by the appropriate partner of the pair. In fact, the service is received b one opponent. The ball must then be struck by the server’s partner and then finally, by the receiver’s partner.