The Ping Chic Party association inaugurated this Saturday, at the Palm Beach in Cannes, a new concept of intergenerational parties centered around ping-pong. A look back at this night with Anthony Gimenez, the association’s president.
Five former professional ping-pong players led by Anthony Gimenez, in partnership with Palm Beach Événementiel, decided to combine their two passions: ping-pong and festive life, to promote this sport. A fluorescent atmosphere, concerts, table tennis tournaments, beer pong, and many other friendly activities were offered to the 650 people in attendance. “We were inspired by abroad, for instance, Asia for the dress code and lighting effects, or Anglo-Saxon countries for the concerts.”
The beginning of the evening was paced by tournaments to highlight the unifying and accessible nature of ping-pong. Before the “club” evening, a show was organized on and in front of the stage to set the mood for the crowd.
“We worked a lot with the 25 volunteers for the evening to offer a show worthy of its name. We’ve been preparing and rehearsing for a long time,” Anthony reminds us.
The aim of the evening, beyond introducing and showcasing this little-publicized sport in France to many spectators, was also to take a chance, as uniting this sport with the nightlife was no easy task. Anthony also wanted, above all, to pay tribute to and support French ping-pong. “The money is donated to the clubs of Puget-sur-Argens and Vallauris, the first because they supported us a lot when we were younger and lent us the equipment for tonight, and the second because it’s a club with limited resources that promotes this sport within the sensitive urban zone of Vallauris.” Promoting integration through sport is a noble value. This evening will allow many young people to practice their sport in the best conditions.
Yoann Gimenez, Anthony’s younger brother and a former professional ping-pong player, comes from the Vallauris club himself. His legitimacy is well-established to promote his sport within clubs in need. “I grew up very well there; we hear a lot of false things about sensitive urban zones, but if we listened to them a little more and helped them, their integration would be greatly facilitated, and that is what we are trying to do.” The ping-pong players all know each other in the south, “it’s a real family,” confesses Anthony. “We unofficially call ourselves the Ping Chic Party Family; we are a real family.”
The two brothers were tired of parties that all looked the same. This new concept was inaugurated in Cannes thanks to the Palm Beach Événementiel company, which organizes numerous trade shows, conferences, and parties throughout the year in this iconic city venue. It allowed combining novelty, charitable actions, and gathering.
