A CAMPAIGN has been launched to get older people in Notts playing table tennis.
The Ping Pong Care Campaign 2013 encourages community centres, sheltered housing, residential villages, care homes and day centres to get elderly people into table tennis – providing nets that can be attached to any table so expensive equipment isn't necessary.
New studies show the game has mental and physical benefits for older people and the campaign is backed up by a film which follows eight ping pong players who are taking part in the over-80s world championships.
Joginder Chahal, who is called the Spin King by friends at his table tennis club, thinks the sport is a great thing for older people to do.
The 78-year-old, who helps run the Hickling Village table tennis club said: "It is a great idea. It is a social thing as well. We need to have more contact with other people.
Joginder, who has even invented a tool to help him pick up the ball from the floor, added: "It is a difficult game to play properly, but everyone can do it."
Eric Wood, who has been helping to run the village club for five years welcomed the campaign.
He said: "Everyone can play regardless of mobility and it is really good for people. It is a mental thing as well, you have to concentrate."
Thomas Tang is chairman of the Chinese Welfare Association in Notts and attended the event with a view to getting his members involved.
He said: "Maybe it is something we can take back. It is quite exciting."
The campaign, devised by the BRITDOC Foundation – a non-profit film foundation funded by Channel 4 – was launched at Nottingham Trent University yesterday, with elderly people and their carers in attendance.
The film that accompanies the campaign follows eight players with 703 years between them competing in the World Table Tennis Championships in Inner Mongolia.
The campaign, which is being run in Notts by Sport Nottinghamshire and Nottingham City Council, aims to reach out to the community and encourage as many people as possible to watch the film, get inspired and play ping pong.
Jade Gresham is the sport and leisure development officer at the council.
She said: " We're trying to look at increasing activity for elderly residents. Part of it is increasing opportunities.
"There are all sorts of benefits, including helping people to be more independent and living unaided for longer."
She added: "People can be inspired to pick up a bat – everyone can have a go."
It is hoped that the campaign will be introduced across the county, with care staff given a DVD, a net to attach to a table and bats and balls to get going.
