From Staff Reports

| Pauls Valley Democrat

Many of the players will likely be the same and more are invited as a Pauls Valley racquet group will again take the game to the tables.

For the Pauls Valley Tennis and Racquet Association, it’s the second year of the Valley Paddle Battle coming next month.

This next version of the table tennis event, known by some as ping pong, is now scheduled for a 2 p.m. start on Saturday, January 31, at the Reynolds Recreation Center.

Again, set to equip the local rec center’s gymnasium with tables for the event is Essential Table Tennis in Oklahoma City.

A featured guest last year and again expected to return for the upcoming event is Winfred Addy, who now lives in Moore but competed in the 1996 Olympic Games as a member of the Guana table tennis team.

The local tennis and racquet group was established nearly a couple of years ago to get people moving and help with the community’s overall health.

“We wanted to help with the health benefits to the community and engage our community and other communities,” Matt Hamilton said.

Another aim has been to raise money for community programs. A long-term goal is to continue raising money to someday replace a number of more dilapidated tennis courts in Wacker Park.

The effort started in March 2024 with a community tennis tournament, as proceeds were used to purchase a canopy for local schools.

Then came Wimbley in the Valley – a touch-tennis tournament in July on the grass of Wacker Park, which was followed up with another tourney this past summer. Touchtennis is a much smaller version of tennis with smaller courts, smaller racquets and foam balls.

The group has also held regular tennis tournaments with proceeds going to PV Panther tennis and planned improvements to park courts.

Anyone interested in participating in the upcoming table tennis event can register online at the tennis group’s website, as entry fees start at $ 25.

Prize money will be available as there will be different classes available, including advanced, recreational and youth and senior, along with singles and doubles categories.