A folk club pingpong competition kicked off at Wuyuan Bay Stadium in Xiamen, Fujian province, according to local media on July 18.

The first edition of the event, with competitors' ages ranging from 12 to just 6, was sponsored by Xiamen Pingpong Association which brought together 140 teenagers who were divided into male and female groups according to ages.

After a day of tough competition, the top three players in each group were decided.

The coastal city has seen a boom in pingpong popularity and increasing numbers of youths  participating in pingpong events at folk clubs in recent years.

Xiamen Pingpong Association launched the first folk club competition in a bid to stimulate children to get involved in pingpong as an enjoyable way of getting exercise.

Competitors in the boys' 6-12 years section compete at the pingpong event in Xiamen July 18. [Photo/xmnn.cn]