For the love of the game of Ping Pong, a group of around 20 players gathered at the K of C Recreation Center last Sunday, to play a friendly competition between the “oldies and young ones”. The minor tournament was organized by ‘old timer’ Reuel “Opong” Causin from Calceta. Many of the players in Bohol participated. The notably good players were made up of the young and the old members of the Capitol Heights Organization of Pingpongers. Champions like “Bitoy” brother of Opong, Deo Butawan, ‘Mao Mao’ senior and his 16 year old son ‘Mao Mao’ junior, and Peter Namata and Onyol Sajonia from the town of Duero, Riju Cuizon and the likes of “Filay” Godinez took part.
That afternoon, a good display of high standard table tennis in Bohol was made. It was an open competition (regardless of category) by elimination and in the thrilling end, the two finalists fought it out between ‘oldies’ Opong against the ‘young ones’ Filay Godinez, with the crowd backing the old timer. Opong displayed good skill and experience to outwit the younger and more energetic Filay. A fitting end for a friendly competition was accomplished with good food, friends and more talk of future get togethers.
The food was sponsored by Philippe Chew, who is back from a 2 year absence with his wife Marianne. Philippe, an accomplished chef provided Thai Lemon Chicken and Chop Suey to all the participants. He is also a ‘die hard’ ping pong player and an enthusiast ever since his school days.
Table tennis is a wonderful sport for reaching out which provides good exercise, coordination and skills improvement for every player. It transcends across all ages from the young to the old (age 6 years to 80 years) and knows no boundaries as it is played in Bohol as well as in Cagayan De’Oro and Singapore or the USA. This sport allows good friendship amongst players and cements long term relationships across the world. No wonder it was used as a tool for diplomacy during the years when USA and China were fostering better relations in the 70’s. This game helps the young to develop good leadership qualities in team spirit building, individual coordinating skills and mental dexterity in reading the game and playing with counter articulated skills.
It is encouraged that table tennis be played in every town to keep the youth off the streets and getting into the menace of drugs and other vices. This sport is not costly and it does not require a huge court or playing field to get started. All it needs is a table and two bats and a ping pong ball. So lets all play ping pong make new friends and create a healthy lifestyle for all.
