Across the region, numerous clubs remain active, drawing participants of all ages to regular training sessions and competitions. The sustained momentum of the sport is reflected in the presence of 24 table tennis clubs currently operating in the western part of the province, most of them concentrated in Pleiku.
Among the longest-standing clubs is Tín Phát Table Tennis Club, located at 01 Lê Lai Street in Diên Hồng Ward. Established in 2018 with 22 members, the club has steadily expanded and now counts 76 participants, including students, officials, civil servants and retirees who regularly attend training sessions.
The club operates six tables and holds practice sessions every afternoon and evening throughout the week. New members receive one-on-one instruction, ranging from basic techniques to advanced skills, allowing beginners to improve quickly.
“I have been training at Tín Phát Table Tennis Club for over five years”, said Đỗ Hồng Phương, 70, from Pleiku Ward. “I usually come to the club every afternoon and play for about two hours with a group of seniors. Regular practice helps me maintain my health and gives me the chance to socialize with friends. I have also taken part in several amateur tournaments”.
The club frequently hosts open competitions with teams from both inside and outside the province, organizing an average of three tournaments each year. In January 2026, it hosted the Spring 2026 Table Tennis Tournament, attracting 68 athletes and producing lively matches.
Through systematic training, players from the club have steadily improved their performance. Since 2019, athletes representing Tín Phát have consistently achieved top results at the Gia Lai Provincial Table Tennis Championships and have secured the overall team title for several years.
Newer clubs are also contributing to the sport’s growth. Plei Gia Table Tennis Club, located at 112/2 Trường Chinh Street in Pleiku Ward, was established in August 2025 by 11 founding members who already had experience with the sport.
Since then, the club has attracted several beginners who are learning the game for the first time. Experienced members regularly assist newcomers in developing their skills.
Nguyễn Quốc Bảo Dương, head of Plei Gia Table Tennis Club, said the club aims to expand the sport’s reach, particularly among people who have never played table tennis before.
Compared with many other sports, he said, table tennis carries a lower risk of injury and is suitable for a wide range of participants, including those who may not be in optimal physical condition.
“Table tennis requires a high degree of coordination between speed, technique and reflexes”, Dương said. “It helps players improve concentration, observation and tactical thinking with every shot”.
Nguyễn Thị Hương Giang, also from Pleiku Ward, said she recently switched from yoga to table tennis and has been training at the Plei Gia club for about five months.
“Now all four members of my family practice here”, she said. “It gives us more time together and allows us to expand our social circle with other club members. I find table tennis very beneficial for both physical and mental health”.
According to Phạm Quốc Toàn, head of Tín Phát Table Tennis Club and Secretary General of the provincial Table Tennis Federation, the sport remains widely popular in the region because it is accessible to people of all ages.
He noted that table tennis also requires lower costs than many other sports while still offering significant health benefits, encouraging long-term participation.
Despite increasing competition from other activities, the sport continues to flourish in the western part of the province, reflected in the stable operation of clubs and the frequent organization of tournaments.
The Gia Lai Provincial Labor Federation has also supported the development of the sport by regularly organizing table tennis tournaments for workers, officials and laborers, creating a healthy sporting environment and attracting large numbers of participants.
“In the coming period, Tín Phát Table Tennis Club will continue to train athletes for commune and ward-level sports festivals,” Toàn said. “We will also make our training facilities available for table tennis events within the Diên Hồng Ward Sports Festival”.