50+ State Sports Games in Leipzig: Table tennis at the Fuchsbau + Videos

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The Saxony State Sports Federation had announced the 16th edition of the 50plus State Sports Games for 19 September 2026, and from 9.00 am the table tennis players began arriving at the Fuchsbau, the home ground of the Leutzscher Füchse.

The Leutzscher Füchse were hosting the tournament for the third time and, as the tournament organizers confirmed, 5 senior women and 34 senior men turned up to compete in four age groups. Conditions were ideal, with play taking place on nine tables simultaneously. The Leutzscher Füchse’s hall is the sort of table tennis venue many clubs would love to have.

The tournament banner. Photo: Thomas Köhler

The Saxony State Sports Federation confirmed to us that around 850 to 900 participants had registered across the 27 sports on offer. Considering the mass events held on the DHfK campus, these were certainly respectable numbers.

Shortly after 10.00 am, the opening ceremony took place and the tournament got underway, with the men’s competition divided into four age groups. Unfortunately, due to the low number of female players, there was only one tournament group for the women, though this did nothing to dampen the players’ spirits.

Why is the women’s tournament so poorly attended? When we asked her about it, the colleague from the State Sports Federation – who didn’t dare appear on camera – said:

At the opening ceremony. Photo: Thomas Köhler

“At least from what we’ve seen so far, women are clearly in the minority in the competitions. Although, at first glance, there doesn’t seem to be any obvious reason for this. Why can’t they also play skittles, table tennis or take part in hockey? So I say, power to the women! They should definitely get involved here too. I do believe, however, that at the Faculty of Sport, during these workshops, the situation will be reversed. We may well have a higher proportion of women there compared to men. So, dear clubs, come up with some ideas to get the women involved here. Why not? Women should get active too, just as much as the men. Girl power!”

Players from various clubs in Leipzig and further afield were present; their tournament experience ranged from ‘complete beginners’ to ‘seasoned competitors’, which was evident in the individual matches.

Tension during the group stage matches. Photo: Thomas Köhler

Claudia Kupfer, the seniors’ representative for the Saxon Table Tennis Association – who plays for the Füchse herself – ensured the tournament ran smoothly, together with her team and Horst Dethloff, who, as chief referee, was on hand to offer advice on the tournament proceedings and to deal with any complaints.

We asked Horst Dethloff what his role is and how he rates the tournament.

The group stage matches began, but things got off to a slightly rocky start because two registered participants were missing, even though their clubs had paid the entry fee. The over-50s age group had to be reorganized. Otherwise, the tournament ran smoothly; and there was certainly a great deal of ambition on display, coupled with a high level of sportsmanship.

After the group stages, which finished at around 1.30 pm, we asked Claudia Kupfer for her thoughts and whether the Leutzscher Füchse were still accepting new members. If you want to know the answer, you’ll have to watch the video. To ensure it’s not just Claudia in the footage, we’ve interspersed it with clips from the tournament.

Unfortunately, we weren’t there for the semi-finals and finals, but we’ll post the results here in the next few days.

Conclusion: All in all, a brilliant tournament with a fantastic atmosphere – and all in a hall that seems tailor-made for it. Oh yes, and it actually is.

Disclosure: The author plays for the Leutzscher Füchse himself – specifically for the Silberfüchse – and also took part, unsuccessfully, in the preliminary round of the over-70s age group.