Table tennis may not be the most popular sport in Serbia, but it is an extremely important discipline globally. It is estimated that there are 40,000,000 table tennis players – many of whom play it recreationally – which makes it a sport with the highest number of participants on the planet. Taking into account the global importance of table tennis, and the excellent results Serbia and Yugoslavia have enjoyed in the sport over the years, Primary School Savremena decided to organise a school tournament.

Driven by the sports enthusiasm of our PE teacher, Željko Zarić, the students organised a table tennis tournament, celebrating extracurricular activities with the spirit of competition and recreation.

IN A CONTEST DEFINED BY SPORTSMANSHIP, VICTORY WENT TO THE MASTER – IGNJAT IGNJATOVIĆ

Students in Years 5 through 8 took part in the mixed singles tournament, in which matches were played in two sets, and the first team to 11 points would win the set.

The students attended the event in good numbers. The atmosphere was great with lots of cheering on, and only the best could endure the pressure. Although everyone gave their best, the performance of the day went to V-1 student Ignjat Ignjatović, who will represent Savremena in the city-wide tournament scheduled for 4 November. Ignjat is so talented that we are sure he will reach the national competition planned for November as well.

Well done, Ignjat!

A SPORT WITH A LONG TRADITION AROUND THE WORLD

The beginnings of table tennis can be traced to 19th-century England. Significant progress in the sport was made by introducing the air-filled rubber ball. When the weather was poor, people used to play a version of tennis indoors, on tables, with tennis racquets and wooden boards or books instead of a net. The game was popular across Great Britain, its colonies, as well as North America. Incidentally, earlier versions of this sport go back to ancient Rome, where participants used to hit a large hollow ball over a net.

Table tennis has since advanced significantly. Today, thanks to high technology, balls can reach a speed of up to 150 km/h. Millions of people around the world play table tennis, many of them recreationally, which makes it a sport with the highest number of participants on the planet. This accomplishment is highly attributed to China, a country that has become a dominant force in the sport.

Savremena’s primary students, we are proud of your athletic accomplishments!