The sport of table tennis, also known as ping-pong, has its origins in Victorian England and evolved from various adaptations of tennis. It emerged as a popular after-dinner parlour game among the upper-class in England during the 19th century. While the exact inventor cannot be attributed, the game's development can be traced back to various sources.

One theory suggests that British military officers stationed in India during the 1860s or 1870s created makeshift versions of the game. They set up a row of books as a net in the center of a table, used books as rackets, and played with a golf ball, continuously hitting it back and forth. The game was brought back to England by these officers and gained popularity as a social activity

The name "ping-pong" was widely used to describe the game, but it became a trademarked term when British manufacturer J. Jaques & Son Ltd. registered it in 1901. Other manufacturers started referring to the game as "table tennis" to avoid trademark issues. The name "ping-pong" persisted for the version played using Jaques's equipment, while "table tennis" became the more commonly used term for the sport

The game continued to evolve with innovations in equipment. In the early 20th century, James W. Gibb, a British table tennis enthusiast, discovered novelty celluloid balls during a trip to the United States in 1901. These balls were better suited for the game, and their introduction marked a significant development. Another innovation came from E.C. Goode in the same year, who invented the modern racket by attaching pimpled rubber to a wooden blade. Tournaments, books, and even an unofficial world championship in 1902 contributed to the sport's growing popularity

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) was founded in 1926, solidifying the governance and standardization of the sport. The first official World Championships were held in London in 1926. Over time, the sport underwent various rule changes and adaptations, including changes to ball size, scoring systems, and equipment specifications. These changes aimed to make the game more accessible, exciting, and suitable for televised broadcasts

Best Table Tennis Academy In Bhubaneswar,Odisha

Table tennis has continued to evolve and gain global popularity since its inception. It became an Olympic sport in 1988 and is enjoyed by players of all levels and ages worldwide, both as a competitive sport and a recreational pastime