Maxonian table tennis players help to strengthen connection with eastern end of the Silk Road

By Matthew Hancock-Bruce 26th May 2026

Local Sport by Matthew Hancock-Bruce 26th May 2026

Table tennis players are representing Macclesfield on the world stage.

The Silk Road Foundation has sent a team of seven over-55 recreational table tennis players to Xi'an in central northern China.

They are currently taking part in a special tournament to celebrate the sport's invention, with it being 100 years since it was formally recognised with an international tournament, held in London in 1926.

Since then, table tennis has grown to become the national sport in China.

This event is part of the growing relationship being developed by the Silk Road Foundation in Macclesfield with the Xi'an area of China, linking the two ends of the modern Silk Road.

The Maxonian table tennis team has been drawn from the Bollington and Macclesfield group organised by David Billington, which plays on Wednesday evenings at the Beech Hall School.

During their visit to Xi'an they will spend three days sightseeing, including a visit to the world famous Terracotta Army.

Most of the group willl stay on for a further five days with visits around Shaanxi Province being organised by the Silk Road Foundation.

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