Thanet pupils gets ready to take part in a Table Tennis record attempt – and you can join in

Could you be the millionth player?

Thanet schools will be taking up the challenge for National Table Tennis day next week.

Pupils at St George’s and Laleham Gap will be attempting to become ping pong champs during a nationwide attempt to get one million people playing at the same time.

Table Tennis England is holding events across the country, including world record attempts in Manchester, on Wednesday, July 12.

Thanet youngster Hugo Ursell is hoping that when the figures are added up it may be here in Thanet that the millionth participant gets reached.

Hugo, 15, is a National Ambassador for Table Tennis England and has been championing the sport and National Table Tennis Day.

Hugo with under secretary of state for sport Tracey Crouch

He said: “Participating in any sport is good for you, but what I like about Table Tennis in particular is that it can be very sociable and great fun, as well as competitive. It is good for your physically and for your mental well-being.”

The event is being run jointly with charity Mind. A spokesman said: “We know that the many benefits of physical activity on both mental and physical health means sports like table tennis can play a fantastic role in boosting people’s overall wellbeing.”

At Hugo’s school, St George’s, PE will be Table Tennis, with pupils getting a chance at lunchtime to play against Hugo and some of the teachers after school.

At  Laleham Gap School there are so many events it is being held over two days. There will be the culmination of the school championships and a chance for pupils in primary and secondary to play against staff for a newly launched trophies.

People can join in by popping  along to Cliffs in Cliftonville between 9am- 1pm or 3pm-5pm where they are running ‘Challenge Cliffs’ Table Tennis Day. People can and play against one of the owners and the person who wins by the biggest score gets a voucher.

Other events are being organised. Hugo said: “It will be a great day. Just have fun. Join in where you can or organise your own game. Be part of an amazing and fast-growing sport.”

Three Table Tennis facts

There 300million players worldwide

Top players sash the ball at over 100mph

The longest non-stop rally lasted 8hrs, 40 minutes and 5 seconds.