Stalo teniso raida Lietuvoje 1921–1940 metais

ENTable tennis is one of the most popular sports in Lithuania. During the 90 years of the official sport activity, numerous and great achievements have been made in international competitions. Therefore, it is relevant to explore and reveal development stages of this sport and reasons that have led to great achievements. Lithuanian scientists have thoroughly explored table tennis development stages in the Soviet occupation and independent Lithuania. However the period of interwar Lithuania has not been studied a lot. The purpose of the study is to analyse and reveal the development of the Lithuanian table tennis in the interwar period. The object of the research is the history of physical education and sports of interwar Lithuania period. Methods: 1. Analysis of archival documents. 2. Analysis of scientific literature. 3. Analysis of literature sources. In the research, the periodical of the interwar Lithuania was thoroughly analysed, by using material from the Lithuanian Table Tennis Association, Lithuanian table tennis theorist’s Vygintas Bogušas, Lithuanian Sports Encyclopaedia and other material. It is believed that table tennis occurred in Lithuania between 1921 and 1922 years and its initiator is Kaunas “Makabi” club. However, research did not allow to name particular person who was the first to bring table tennis game to Lithuania. Until 1927, when LSL table tennis committee was established, this sport has been played as an entertaining game. In 1929 LSL table tennis committee was acknowledged by the International Table Tennis Federation, which allowed Lithuanian table tennis players to take part in international competitions. This led to one of the greatest achievements in sport of interwar Lithuania – in the World Championship Lithuania took 4th place in team event.The research methods leads us to the conclusion, that the main reason for success, which allowed table tennis players to achieve significant achievements in the interwar period in Lithuania, was a good organizational management of sport – large participation and the acquisition of experience in international competitions, active development of table tennis from Kaunas to other cities from 1930, perfect and abundant organization of tournaments, the application of various tournament management systems, taking into account of changing conditions and the active participation of the table tennis committee in the Lithuanian sporting life.