..:: Columbia Table Tennis ::..

Ping-Pong, Plato, and Passion: What's the Buzz?

On December 1, after dropping off my daughters at the new Columbia School at 110th and Broadway, I casually picked up my copy of the Spec that's left inside the entrance, and began to read it while crossing the street to catch a bus to Butler Library. I quickly perused the cover page that covered several interesting topics such as Google thesis searches, civil liberties, and an AIDS photo exhibit at the School of Social Work. However, what really caught my attention and caused me to nearly hit an unmovable lamppost, several harried pedestrians, and a moving M60 bus was the staff editorial titled We Want Ping-Pong.

After over a decade of literally hounding Spec sports editors to write about ping-pong in a favorable light, here, right before my very eyes was an editorial extolling some of the virtues of my sport of passion, known to serious players by its other name, table tennis. I couldn't believe it! I knew that despite our best attempts, no one from Columbia's ping-pong club had managed to successfully infiltrate the Spec's editorial staff to persuade it to change its stance. So why were they discussing ping-pong now? I felt compelled to read on, muttering to myself some lines from Cowper, бзGod works in mysterious ways/His wonders to perform.би

The main thrust of the editorial was that ping-pong is needed to foster a spirit of camaraderie and thereby promote a feeling of community among Columbia students. Although the student council has taken up the matter of making ping-pong available in dorms and other campus spaces like the Wien food court, ping-pong has not yet made its debut as disagreement continues to exist regarding how to maintain an ongoing supply of paddles and balls. Quite frankly, it's a wonder that this appears to be the obstacle that is standing in the way of a progressive vision of having ping-pong available to every student in all of Columbia's dorms. 144 high quality balls can be purchased for as little as $40 and sturdy paddles cost as little as $15 when purchased in bulk. Such costs are easily within an individual dorm's budget. The Columbia University Table Tennis Club knows of several reputable suppliers who would be willing to offer good discounts on tables and related equipment. Also, having won the NYC Division of the NCTTA Championships the last three years in a row, our team members are well-qualified to provide some initial volunteer instruction in the dorms to get the ball rolling on the implementation of this issue.

Recall Plato's famous Cave Allegory in which the prisoners strove to discard their chains of ignorance by gaining knowledge leading to enlightenment and freedom? Well, in my opinion and that of many others, table tennis should become the sport of choice in every Columbia dorm. In closing, to inform and educate those who are oblivious to the sport's strengths, here are the top ten major reasons why ping-pong must prevail: 1. It's one of the most popular indoor sports in America, 2. It's inexpensive, 3. It's easy to learn, 4. It's extremely aerobic, 5. It's an Olympic sport, 6. It's usually played by smart and friendly people, 7. Modern paddle technology and systematic coaching help to neutralize the gender advantage typically found in most other sports, 8. It helps one to concentrate on their studies and work, 9. The risk of injury is very limited, and 10. It has a high success rate of bringing players together romantically because of the emphasis on good strokes and sensitive touch.

Respectfully submitted,
Karun K. Singh
Ph.D. Candidate, School of Social Work
Vice President, Columbia University Table Tennis Club