Our Story
Sand Smash began in 2024 with a focused mission: to advocate for table tennis in the Middle East, where the sport was played everywhere yet rarely taken seriously as a competitive discipline.
Starting from Saudi Arabia, we documented the region's table tennis revolution – from the Saudi Table Tennis Federation's rebranding and Jörgen Persson's appointment as coach, to Jahez's platinum sponsorship and the league's transformation. We covered Qatar's tournaments, highlighted regional players, and fought against the perception that table tennis wasn't a "real sport."
As our community grew and our voice strengthened, we realized that the challenges facing table tennis in the Middle East – lack of media coverage, limited recognition, economic barriers, and cultural misconceptions – are universal. Players worldwide face similar struggles for legitimacy and support.
Today, Sand Smash has evolved from the #1 table tennis blog in the Middle East into a global platform advocating for table tennis everywhere. While we remain deeply connected to our Middle Eastern roots and continue covering the region extensively, our mission now extends to championing the sport worldwide.
Our Mission
Sand Smash is the world's first table tennis advocacy platform, championing the sport through storytelling.
Primary Mission
Give voice to developing nations where table tennis is played everywhere yet recognized nowhere. We showcase players, federations, and communities building the sport with minimal resources but maximum passion, regions where talent exists but visibility doesn't. More awareness means more funding, better facilities, and real opportunities.
Secondary Mission
Tell the human stories of table tennis everywhere. From established nations to emerging regions, table tennis has incredible stories, player journeys, coaching programs, communities coming together through the sport. These stories deserve an audience, regardless of whether the sport is thriving or struggling in that region.
Because every table tennis story matters.
Our Core Values
Everything we do is guided by these fundamental principles
Advocacy
Fighting for recognition and respect for table tennis players across the world
Passion
Driven by genuine love for the sport and commitment to its growth globally
Community
Building a thriving network of players, fans, and supporters worldwide
Excellence
Promoting the highest standards in play, coverage, and representation of the sport
Our Visual Identity
Wood
Representing our foundation, heritage, and the natural warmth of the racket's blade
Red
Symbolizing passion, energy, and the fierce competitive spirit of our players
Black
Representing precision, professionalism, and the technical mastery required
Sand Smash uses the authentic colors of a table tennis racket in our branding. These colors connect us directly to the sport we love and advocate for, creating a visual identity that's both meaningful and instantly recognizable to players and fans alike.
Meet Nasraldeen
I am a table tennis player in Saudi Arabia, competing for Al-Ettifaq. Born and raised in Saudi Arabia with Egyptian heritage, I've experienced firsthand the challenges that table tennis players face in our region.
Growing up, people constantly criticized my sport, dismissing table tennis as "not a real sport." This persistent negativity inspired me to start Sand Smash – to advocate for table tennis and create the thriving community our sport deserves.
My Journey Timeline
Even though I started relatively late, the sport captivates me completely. The adrenaline rush during fast, spinny rallies is incomparable to anything else I've experienced.
This feeling – this pure joy and excitement – is why I play table tennis and why I'm determined to share its magic with the world.