Members of the Sokhah Ping Pong Club team celebrate their victory at the table tennis tournament held at Parkway Centre on Saturday.

Sokhah Fitness Club and Sokhah Pingpong Club joined forces to host an inaugural table tennis tournament played over Friday and Saturday at Parkway Centre.

Sokhah Pingpong Club chief Chan Piseth highlighted the three main aims of the friendly competition, which is set to become an annual event.

“First, to foster a good relationship between all the players. Second, to promote table tennis in Cambodia and help the sport increase in popularity. And third, to motivate Cambodian people to think about their health and take proper care of themselves in daily life,” he said.

The promising turnout of 47 players, hailing from 14 clubs across the capital, also included some foreign talents from Russia, China, New Zealand, France and the United States.

The event, sponsored by BPC, Cheers Beer, Phnom Penh Beer, Park Café and the Royal Intercon School, received a donation towards running costs from Roth Sakhorn, president of the Cambodia Vovinam Federation.

Sokhah Ping Pong Club won the team event to collect the winners’ trophy and one million riels (US$248) in prizemoney, as well as three months’ free entry to Sthe okhah Fitness Club and a free night out at Park Café for each of its three members.

Khmer-French Association Club came second ahead of Royal Intercon School Club.

Sokhah Ping Pong Club also secured the doubles title, beating Khmer-New Zealander Association Club into runners-up spot, with Khmer-French Association Club in third.