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Sand Smash Articles

Discover our collection of articles advocating for table tennis around the world, breaking stereotypes, and building champions.

Ethiopia National Table Tennis Championship venue
Behind the Championships
December 2025
Ethiopia Table Tennis FederationIn Partnership with Ethiopia's table tennis federation

Love, Hope, and 13 Months of Training: Ethiopia's National Championships

Nasraldeen MoustafaNasraldeen Moustafa
10 min read

6:30 AM. A father and daughter leave home for a one-hour drive to the nationals. A defending champion trains for 13 months for this moment. Three people, one tournament, a few days that define a year.

Behind the Championships
Ethiopia
National Championship
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Young boy in traditional Peruvian clothing playing table tennis in the Andes mountains
Development Project
December 2025
Peru Table Tennis FederationIn Partnership with Peru's table tennis federation

From the Andes to the World: Peru's "Tables of Dreams" Wins ITTF Foundation Grant

Nasraldeen MoustafaNasraldeen Moustafa
15 min read

At 4,000 meters above sea level, 7 hours from the closest major city, children in Peru's central highlands are receiving a life-changing opportunity through the "Tables of Dreams" project, which won $22,500 from the ITTF Foundation to bring table tennis, hope, and opportunity to remote villages.

Development Project
Peru
ITTF Foundation
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Jomana Kassab - Saudi Arabia's table tennis champion in action
Player Profile
December 2025

Three Clubs, One Dream: The Jomana Kassab Story

Nasraldeen MoustafaNasraldeen Moustafa
12 min read

At just 16, Jomana Kassab has already conquered the Saudi Youth Games and navigated three different clubs. From training with her father to becoming a champion, her journey through Al Nahda, Al Ettifaq, and Al Qadsiah reveals the determination required to succeed in a growing sport.

Player Profile
Saudi Arabia
Youth Champion
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Nano Fernandez - Peru's table tennis champion celebrating
Featured
November 2025
Peru Table Tennis FederationIn Partnership with Peru's table tennis federation

Nano Fernandez: Carrying Peru's Hopes on His Forehand

Nasraldeen MoustafaNasraldeen Moustafa
10 min read

From Lima's national training center to becoming South American Champion, Nano Fernandez's journey is one of passion, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication. Now studying in Spain while competing at the highest levels, he carries the dreams of a nation on his shoulders.

Player Profile
Peru
South America
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Table tennis paddle and ball in dramatic lighting
Featured
September 2025

Passion: The Heart of Table Tennis

Nasraldeen MoustafaNasraldeen Moustafa
12 min read

We play tournaments without an audience. We play the sport for passion, not for fame — and not really for money either. Through sacrifice, dedication, and unwavering love for the game, discover what it truly means to be a table tennis player in the Middle East.

Passion
Personal Story
Dedication
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Professional table tennis equipment representing economic barriers
Economic
August 2025

Table Tennis and Its Socioeconomic Divide: Who Really Gets to Play?

Nasraldeen MoustafaNasraldeen Moustafa
10 min read

From $80 rubbers to street tables in Egypt, this analysis explores how economics shapes who gets to play table tennis across the Middle East. When equipment costs nearly 80% of a monthly salary, the sport becomes a privilege rather than a right.

Socioeconomics
Economic
Middle East
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Qatar table tennis federation development and achievements
Qatar
July 2025

From 1977 to Today: The Rise of Qatari Table Tennis

Nasraldeen MoustafaNasraldeen Moustafa
12 min read

QTTA was founded in 1977 — the start of the Qatari Table Tennis Federation. From expat introductions to Olympic representation, discover Qatar's remarkable 47-year journey in table tennis development and their vision for hosting the 2036 Olympics.

Qatar
Development
Success Story
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Kids watching table tennis match on television
Opinion
June 2025

How the Arab Media Is Missing the Table Tennis Revolution

Nasraldeen MoustafaNasraldeen Moustafa
8 min read

The Arab media is so focused on one sport — and you know it. While I love the attention and investment going into football, it bugs me that table tennis is not receiving the same attention. This is the purpose of this blog: to put the spotlight on our sport.

Media Coverage
Advocacy
Arab World
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Jahez - Official platinum sponsor of Saudi Table Tennis League
Latest News
May 2025

Saudi Table Tennis Transformation: New Identity, Jörgen Persson, and Jahez Partnership

Nasraldeen MoustafaNasraldeen Moustafa
11 min read

March 29 marks a turning point in Saudi table tennis history. From the STTF's bold new identity and signing legendary coach Jörgen Persson, to securing Jahez as platinum sponsor—discover how these three major developments are reshaping the future of the sport in the Kingdom.

Transformation
Jörgen Persson
Jahez
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Saudi Arabia table tennis development and growth
Recent
April 2025

The Growth of Table Tennis in Saudi Arabia: Challenges and Opportunities

Nasraldeen MoustafaNasraldeen Moustafa
12 min read

Professional table tennis tournaments were first introduced in 1956 when the Saudi Arabian Table Tennis Committee was established—that was 69 years ago. Explore the journey of growth, challenges, and emerging opportunities in Saudi Arabia's table tennis landscape.

Saudi Arabia
STTF
Development
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Professional table tennis player in action during competitive match
Perspective
April 2025

Is Table Tennis a Real Sport? Breaking the Stereotypes

Nasraldeen MoustafaNasraldeen Moustafa
8 min read

Once you play table tennis, you might think it is not a real sport. You are just standing in one place with a racket, trying to hit the ball. The truth is, this is not table tennis, and it never was. Discover why table tennis deserves recognition as a legitimate sport.

Advocacy
Stereotypes
Professional
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Mission: Advocacy