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A common sentiment expressed in table tennis forums is that Table Tennis is dying. Personally i do not think that TT, or any sport which has achieved the popularity that TT has can die, however i do agree with the general consensus that table tennis is declining, at least in the competitive format that we play. However i find that a break ground for each country would be much more comprehensive and interesting:
USA: Competitive side has been relatively stable, though most competitive junior players are children of immigrants from Southeast Asia and India(This is probably biased because i live in a Suburb), the causal side has seen great growth around 2008-2010, but has been in decline since then(https://www.statista.com/statistics/191959/participants-in-table-tennis-in-the-us-since-2006/).
Germany: Player Population is aging rapidly, and clubs are not getting enough juniors, and membership in the German table tennis association is at a all time low, i have no information about the casual side, though i suspect because of the large number of public tables in remains a popular past time.
China: Popularity is decreasing because Xi prefers other sports(soccer), China's dominance,(though it might resurface trough the immense popularity of Zhang Jike who has said he will try to promote table tennis, and other countries growing closer to China)
Bulgaria: On the competitive side is growing a healthy amount partly due to clubs being very active in recruitment, especially strong on the junior side however lack strong adult players.
Pakistan: Stagnation/decline, due to in part of structural issues, such as power struggles limiting the competitive side, and tournaments. Also cricket dominates everything(like soccer in Germany), however there seems to be a large interest and talented players.
New Zealand: Most players are immigrants/children of immigrants, and the high cost barrier discourages people to play.
Pls add to the info and post about your countries, and i will edit this post to accommodate the info.
Ukraine: Interest exist for the sport, however structural issues limit the potential.
Sweden: Stagnating, however table tennis infrastructure is sufficient to support compeititve table tennis. However professionals are lacking, especially when compared to 1950-2000s.
USA: Competitive side has been relatively stable, though most competitive junior players are children of immigrants from Southeast Asia and India(This is probably biased because i live in a Suburb), the causal side has seen great growth around 2008-2010, but has been in decline since then(https://www.statista.com/statistics/191959/participants-in-table-tennis-in-the-us-since-2006/).
Germany: Player Population is aging rapidly, and clubs are not getting enough juniors, and membership in the German table tennis association is at a all time low, i have no information about the casual side, though i suspect because of the large number of public tables in remains a popular past time.
China: Popularity is decreasing because Xi prefers other sports(soccer), China's dominance,(though it might resurface trough the immense popularity of Zhang Jike who has said he will try to promote table tennis, and other countries growing closer to China)
Bulgaria: On the competitive side is growing a healthy amount partly due to clubs being very active in recruitment, especially strong on the junior side however lack strong adult players.
Pakistan: Stagnation/decline, due to in part of structural issues, such as power struggles limiting the competitive side, and tournaments. Also cricket dominates everything(like soccer in Germany), however there seems to be a large interest and talented players.
New Zealand: Most players are immigrants/children of immigrants, and the high cost barrier discourages people to play.
Pls add to the info and post about your countries, and i will edit this post to accommodate the info.
Ukraine: Interest exist for the sport, however structural issues limit the potential.
Sweden: Stagnating, however table tennis infrastructure is sufficient to support compeititve table tennis. However professionals are lacking, especially when compared to 1950-2000s.
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