Experience Reports from Inter Pingpong Events

The programs implemented within the Inter Pingpong in Schools project are much more than simple sporting events – they are genuine community experiences that impact students, parents, and educators alike.

Through the following experience reports, we can gain insight into how participants perceived and lived through these various events.

Sports Day for Families

  • András (parent, Szeged)
    “My wife, our two children, and I took part in the family sports day, and we had an amazing time! The organizers prepared lots of exciting activities—not only could we play table tennis, but we also got to try out various skill-based games. The best moment was when we played a family doubles match, and to our surprise, our younger son won against his mother with a brilliant shot!”
  • Janković (parent, Zenta)
    “I really liked that the sports day wasn’t just for kids, but we, parents, could actively take part as well. Serbian and Hungarian families played together, and at the end, we even organized a shared picnic. Now my daughter is seriously considering taking up table tennis regularly.”
  • Lili (teacher, Horgos)
    “I was so happy to see many of my students from school join the family sports day. It was great to watch parents and children competing and having fun together. Playing sports as a group was a fantastic opportunity for building a strong community!”

Sports Day for Youth Athletes

  • Bence (player, Szeged)
    “This was one of the best sports days I’ve ever attended! The coaches set up different stations where we had to complete technical and physical challenges. I especially enjoyed the challenge where we had to return 100 balls as accurately as possible.”
  • Đorđe (player, Horgos)
    “The joint training session with Hungarian and Serbian players was an amazing experience! We learned different playing techniques from each other and even played friendly matches. I can’t wait for the next meetup!”
  • István (coach, Zenta)
    “One of the goals of the sports day was to motivate young players and introduce them to new techniques. I’m very pleased with the progress my students have made, and I’m glad to see so many talented young athletes in the region.”

Sports Day for Students

  • Noémi (student, Szeged)
    “This was the first sports day I participated in, and I had such a great time! At first, playing ping pong was difficult, but after an hour, I was already hitting the ball quite well. The coaches were very kind and helped us a lot.”
  • Stefan (student, Zenta)
    “The best part was when they mixed us up with Hungarian and Serbian students, and we had to complete tasks together. It was great making new friends, and in the end, we even organized a small tournament!”
  • Anikó (teacher, Horgos)
    “In our school programs, we always emphasize physical activity, but this sports day was particularly valuable because the students got to try a new sport. Many of them have now developed an interest in table tennis!”

Sports Day for Students with Disabilities

  • Gergő (student with disabilities, Szeged)
    “I was really excited because this was the first time I took part in such a sports day. The coaches explained everything patiently, and in the end, we even had a mini-tournament. I especially loved that everyone could play together, regardless of their challenges.”
  • Tamara (parent, Zenta)
    “It was incredibly moving to see the children supporting and encouraging each other while playing. The organizers did an amazing job—everything was accessible, and every child found a challenge suited to them.”
  • Eszter (teacher, Horgos)
    “The inclusive sports day was a great opportunity for students with and without disabilities to play together. The shared experience brought lots of smiles and boosted everyone’s confidence.”

 

Competition for Registered Players

  • Márk (player, Szeged)
    “I had been looking forward to this tournament because it gave me the chance to compete against Serbian opponents. One of my most exciting matches went to a decisive set, and I managed to win in the end. I really enjoyed the competition and gained a lot of valuable experience.”
  • Bojana (player, Horgos)
    “I loved this tournament because I got to play against opponents of equal skill. I had a particularly close match against a Hungarian player, but in the end, I lost. Despite that, I learned a lot and am sure I will play even better next time.”
  • Ádám (coach, Zenta)
    “It was important to see how my students compared to players from other regions. The level of play was high, and it was great to see everyone fighting hard for victory. Congratulations to all participants!”

 

Competition for Students

  • Luca (student, Szeged)
    “I was really nervous before the tournament because this was my first serious competition. I won my first two matches and eventually finished in third place. I’m very proud of myself and will definitely keep training!”
  • Mihaj (student, Zenta)
    “This was my first time competing in a tournament in Hungary, and I really enjoyed it! Even though I didn’t win the tournament, I learned a lot from the matches and made new friends.”
  • Katalin (parent, Horgos)
    “I’m incredibly proud of my son, who performed amazingly in the tournament. It wasn’t just about the results; he also got to experience the excitement of competition and the spirit of fair play.”

 

Integrated Competition for Players with Disabilities

  • Levente (player with disabilities, Szeged)
    “I was so happy to participate in this tournament! All my opponents were very sportsmanlike, and the atmosphere in the hall was amazing. The best moment was when I managed to win a close match!”
  • Dragana (teacher, Zenta)
    “This tournament was a fantastic initiative! My students loved the opportunity to compete on equal terms and be recognized as full-fledged athletes. It was especially meaningful that able-bodied and disabled players could play together.”
  • Beáta (parent, Horgos)
    “It was incredibly touching to see how the children supported and encouraged each other. This tournament was not just about winning but also about teamwork and acceptance.”

 

School Table Tennis Demonstrations

  • Dávid (student, Szeged)
    “I was really surprised at how fast and exciting table tennis is! The coaches showed us some amazing tricks, and we even got to try them ourselves. Now I’m definitely signing up for the club!”
  • Milić (teacher, Zenta)
    “The demonstration was very interactive—the kids loved it, and even we teachers joined in. It would be great to have more sports programs like this in the future.”
  • Zoltán (parent, Horgos)
    “My son usually spends all his time in front of the computer, but he enjoyed the demonstration so much that he asked how he could join the training sessions. This is a huge success for us!”