By Sarah Schneider
Transcript Reporter
Ohio Wesleyanâs new table tennis club aims to foster friendly competition within the university and between OWU and other schools.
According to senior Anuk Yingrotetarakul, the clubâs current president, the motivation to form the group was to gain access to âproperâ equipment to enhance the playing experience.
âI came to OWU and got to play with some friends during my freshman year at Smith Hall,â Yingrotetarakul said âHowever, the tables were in poor condition and were soon removed. I never got to play again until my junior yearâŚ.The idea of forming a club led to thoughts about competing as well,â he said.
Yingrotetarakul said the club was approved late last spring and only took action in fall of 2013. He and sophomore Shashwat Rijal, the clubâs treasurer, petitioned to start the group.
âWe organize practice/meetings and provide better equipment,â he said. âWe are also currently attempting to organize friendlies against other universities to get a feel for the competitive nature of the game.â
Rijal said he wants to participate in tournaments. The table tennis season spans the entire school year, beginning in the fall and ending in the spring.
Senior Daniel Khan, a member of the club said, âMy buddies and I played ping pong in the senior housing for a while and thought it will be a good idea to make a formal club.â
The club meets every Thursday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Branch Rickey Arena, where tables are set up and all equipment is provided.
After mid-semester break, depending on the athletic facilities available, the club is hoping to add Tuesdays to their meeting time, as well as their original Thursdays.