Club of the Week: Dubai Table Tennis Academy

Jay Asser 09:32 14/04/2016
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Eclectic cast: ping pong players.

    Table tennis may be the miniature version of its namesake, but the sport is one of the most popular in the world.

    Maybe the most appealing aspect of table tennis – or ping pong as it’s casually referred to – is its inclusivity, allowing anyone to play the game in its simplified form. That inclusivity is what Dubai Table Tennis Academy strive for, with their belief that everyone should enjoy the sport.

    That’s why former Polish national Wiktor Gniewek began the academy in 2011, after witnessing few opportunities for other nationalities outside of locals to play table tennis in the UAE.

    “There was no table tennis activity or direction when I came, apart from the local clubs,” said Gniewek. “Now big numbers are regular. In every big tournament we have around 200-300 people coming and playing. In Dubai, it’s a great achievement for any sport having 300 players coming in a day at the same time.”

    The academy began with just 10 members, but has grown up to 300, with 20 to 30 people using the club’s nine tables every day. Members can play with each other or choose to book private lessons with a coach and work on their skills.

    The academy also holds tournaments every Friday that affect the annual rankings, which run throughout the year. In December, the players with the most points are rewarded.

    It doesn’t matter what your skill level, age or nationality is. As long as you enjoy table tennis, the academy welcomes you.

    “It’s so international. You have all the possible countries,” said Gniewek. “You have people from China, people from Japan, Europe, India, you have locals, Americans and Canadians. You have professionals and beginners. There are kids and also people who are 70 years old.

    “If you play table tennis, you can meet everyone.”

    Aside from coaching at Dubai Table Tennis Academy, Gniewek also serves as coach of the UAE national team. He came to Dubai at the age of 19 with the Polish national team and accepted a position as coach at Al Shabab to teach the game to others, like his parents did with him.

    “My parents also used to play for the national team for Poland. That’s actually how they met, at a table tennis club,” Gniewek said. “My parents always took me with them to tournaments so I was always interested in the game. It’s a family sport and tradition.”

    To become a member at Dubai Table Tennis Academy, you can choose to pay for one day for Dh50, one month for Dh200, three months for Dh500 or the full year for Dh700.

    Special private training with one-on-one with coaches range from one lesson to 10 sessions. For more information about the academy’s programme, check out www.dubaitta.com.

    WHAT: Dubai Table Tennis Academy
    FOUNDED: 2011
    GEARED TOWARDS: Table tennis enthusiasts
    WHEN AND WHERE: Daily from 18:00 to 22:00 at Al Shabab Club, Dubai
    CONTACT: Visit www.dubaitta.com and www.facebook.com/DubaiTableTennisAcademy for more information

    Recommended