A player in action at the table tennis tournament in Patna on Wednesday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Over 50 paddlers from 10 regions would exhibit their stylish strokes and smashes for three days at the inter-regional table tennis tournament that began at Patliputra Indoor Stadium on Wednesday.

The tournament has been organised by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited eastern region I. The teams taking part are eastern region I and II, northern region I and II, western region I and II, southern region I and II, corporate centre (Gurgaon) and Power System Operation Corporation. Twenty matches were played on Day I.

S.N. Sahay, the general manager (project), said: “The tournament aims to develop sporting activities among employees.”

More than 50 matches would be played, including single and double categories.

Navin Sinha, a Power Grid employee, said: “Though the game originated in Europe, it is becoming popular in India. The public sector units are taking a keen interest to promote the sport.”