20 years of play celebrated at Drumchapel Table Tennis club

Jun 25 2009

Drumchapel table tennis

DRUMCHAPEL Table Tennis Club proved a smash hit with politicians this week as it celebrated it's 20th anniversary - and becoming the first Scottish side to win the British title.

Sports Minister Shona Robison was joined by Anniesland MSP Bill Butler in paying tribute to the club who are marking the occasion with four days of events.

Ms Robison also used the occasion to announce s144,255 of sportscotland funding to the sport which will feature in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

She said: "Drumchapel is a great example of a club which really works with the local community to inspire and encourage people to lead better, healthier lives.

"This funding for table tennis in Scotland will ensure more people get involved in the sport and help prepare our existing athletes as we gear up for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010 and Glasgow in 2014."

Table tennis in Glasgow, particularly in Drumchapel, has been hitting the headlines recently for its outstanding development work, engaging with local children and developing their interest and potential.
 
Mr Butler, who secured a debate on the club in the Scottish Parliament in March, said: "I am pleased the Minister has visited the club and am sure that she could only be impressed by what she saw.

"There is a strong case to be made for greater support for table tennis at grassroots levels across Scotland and this club provides a blueprint as to how to do that.
 
"I congratulate all those who are involved in the club for all their hard work and commitment. They have put Drumchapel at the top of the table."
 
The highlight of the celebrations sees the club host an evening challenge match between two former world champions, Jan Ove Waldner and Jorgen Persson, in Drumchapel Sports Centre where it all began.
 
Reflecting on how far the club has came since 1989 its chairman Terry Mr McLernon said: "I don't think we would have expected that the best players in the UK would be coming to play at Drumchapel when we started out all those years ago.

"It is another feather in the club's cap, as well as being champions of Britain, that we have persuaded two ex-world champions to play here and we are not finished yet!"