Table tennis gift to keep older Chinese people healthy (From thisisoxfordshire)

Table tennis gift to keep older Chinese people healthy

12:00pm Thursday 14th March 2013 in News By Debbie Waite, Features writer

MEMBERS of Oxfordshire Older Chinese People Centre say they can’t wait to ‘Get Batty’.

The campaign was launched by Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF) to get more elderly people playing table tennis as a way of socialising and keeping fit in the winter.

OCF is appealing for individuals and companies to sponsor their special table tennis sets which attach to any table.

This week, solicitors Withy King, of New Inn Hall Street, got the ball rolling by sponsoring five sets for the centre.

A social group for Chinese people aged 50 and upwards, the centre – or Happy Place, as it is known – meets twice weekly at the West Oxford Community Centre in Botley Road.

Co-ordinator, Derek Ng said: “Some of our members already play on a full-size table to a good standard and enjoy it very much.

“But when we heard how Get Batty would be providing smaller sets we jumped at the chance to be involved.

“Table tennis, or ping pong as it is called in China, is a fantastic way to keep fit and our members are very excited about the prospect of being able to learn the game.

“And it’s great that these special ping pong sets have nets that fit to any table, so any group can use them.”

Withy King has also bought five table tennis sets for its staff and OCF hopes other businesses will follow their lead. Mike Cooper, of Withy King, said: “We are really happy to be involved with such a positive initiative.”

Jayne Woodley, chief executive of the OCF, added: “Table tennis is a safe and enjoyable way for older and disabled people to exercise and make new friends.”