MARKING WORLD TABLE TENNIS Day, Welham Girls’ School — a leading boarding school in Dehradun — partnered with Tanjun Associate, a social enterprise supported by the Olympism365 Innovation Hub, to host a table tennis tournament in a league-cum-knockout format.
Eighteen young players from seven urban and rural schools across the region showcased their table tennis skills. Six students participated from BVS Public School – a remotely located Himalayan rural school.
The event not only promoted grassroots table tennis but also unveiled Tanjun’s environmentally sustainable prototype of an innovative TT table made entirely of bamboo, including a TT net hand dotted from recycled yarn, marking a significant milestone towards development of eco-responsible sports equipment as a result of support from the Olympism365 innovation Hub.
Vibha Kapoor, principal, Welham Girls’ School, said: “We are happy to collaborate on this meaningful initiative and appreciate the opportunity for our students to play and provide feedback on the prototype.” She added that Welham Girls’ School actively promotes sustainable solutions across all fields, encouraging students to adopt environmentally responsible practices in academics, sports, and beyond. By allowing learners to use the bamboo-based table tennis table and net in real time, a practical testing ground is created where students can experience the design firsthand and share observations on usability, durability, and playability.
Since 2023, Tanjun has been using table tennis as a vehicle to foster environmental awareness, promote agroforestry, and encourage climate-responsible behaviour, working closely with mountain communities, especially women. In the first phase, it developed and installed bamboo-framed table tennis tables in schools and community hubs. The creation of the entire table tennis table using bamboo board represents its latest innovation in sustainable sports infrastructure. Complementing this is a prototype table tennis net, woven from recycled threads for enhanced durability and a zero-waste footprint.
Following the initial trials, the prototypes will move to comprehensive performance testing. With the support of ITTF Foundation, Tanjun will use Spinsight TT, a real-time table tennis analysis app that uses smart balls and smartphone sensors to measure spin, speed, placement, and height, helping players and coaches refine technique through data driven feedback. This new-age combination of material innovation and technology with insights from players and coaches will guide the finalisation process and pave the way for wider adoption of such climate-friendly sports equipment in schools and community centres.
Rekha Dey, managing partner of Tanjun, commented: “This feedback loop will not only help Tanjun refine the prototype for broader adoption but also reinforce the idea that young people are active contributors, not just beneficiaries, in building sustainable, climate-conscious sports solutions.”
