The age factor
Discussion
Debanjan Lahiri Asked 10 years ago
Respected Sir,
I am 22 years old now.I recently got attracted to table tennis.But I see most of the table tennis players are within 18 to 19 years of age.So is there any scope for a guy of my age to take part in table tennis competitions in the present scenario.Sir,so is there any age barrier to participate in big table tennis competitions.If not,then can you mention some names of few of them where a guy of my age can compete from your knowledge of various table tennis competitions throughout the world.
With Regards,
Debanjan Lahiri
India
Alois Rosario Answered 10 years ago
Hi Debanjan,
Age is not a barrier. There are tournaments for players of all ages.
The tournaments for you will depend on your area. The best thing is to join your local Table Tennis club if you haven’t joined already. They will have information on the tournaments in your area.
Thoughts on this question
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Arnab Ghosh Posted 10 years ago
Hi Debanjan,
I also started playing late. Its okay. There won't be any technical difficulties to play tournaments as there are no restrictions. You just have to join a club and practice with the players.
Where are you from?
Ayesha Noon Posted 10 years ago
He said he's from India
Arnab Ghosh Posted 10 years ago
Hi Ayesha,
He did say it. But you know India is a big country with a lot of places in it. He can come from Vizag or Kolkata etc. for example.
Ayesha Noon Posted 10 years ago
Oh, sorry.
Debanjan Lahiri Posted 10 years ago
Hi Arnab and Ayesha,
I am presently in Visakhapatnam,Andhra Pradesh,India.Thanks for sharing your views but I will be really grateful if you can name some good clubs in India or Visakhapatnam for table tennis purposes and it will be better if they give coaching too.
Vincent Gledhill Posted 10 years ago
Hi Guys, I'm 51 and have only just started playing again after a 37 year gap, and I'm loving it.
Arnab Ghosh Posted 10 years ago
Well Debanjan I am not going to lie to you. Initially I faced some difficulties in finding a coach. The clubs I visited refused to give coaching lessons to me because I was a total beginner as far as shot techniques go. And they had no time slots to train players like myself. Either there were beginners who were kids or there were grownups who were mature players.
So probably if you find a club or a coach to train you, you are going to have to learn the basic shots with kids. If you are okay with that, then there is no problem.
In my case however, I found a club where there were players like me who were of my age and began learning near the same time as me. So we practice and learn together.
P.S. I am from Kolkata so I can't help you locating a club in Vizag. Usually there are a lot club in a city. I am sure if you ask around, you will find one suitable to you.
Good luck,
Arnab
Debanjan Lahiri Posted 10 years ago
Thanks Arnab for your suggestion.By the way I am bengali too,my uncle stays in dumdum in kolkata and may I know in which club do you play in kolkata,pls name it.
Ayesha Noon Posted 10 years ago
There must be some clubs in Bengali. By the way, I am from Pakistan and currently living in the U.S.
Arnab Ghosh Posted 10 years ago
Bally AC
It is situated in Bally, Howrah.
Vijay Madge Posted 10 years ago
My dear boy I am 67 and two years ago I resumed my game after a gap of nearly 30 years. Of course I used to play at intercollegiate level in my halcyon days and hence I am no beginner. But believe me in TT age is no barrier. My son is in Jamshedpur and there in Tata Club I met with a 72 year old playing. And my my what a game he has! I could hardly manage to get 4/5 points in the initial encounters. His name is Mr Mitra. If you have watched Pingskills videos, there you will see a player called Brian Berry. Quite a celebrity in Australia, Alois will tell you.. Mitra's style of play is very similar to that of Brian Berry. So, go on my boy and work out your own game! Good luck to you.