Tam did not have a chance to play in any real matches, but he still had fun. He would spend up to two hours watching the experts play and trying to imitate their moves. Later on, additional stone ping pong tables were installed at each block of Ming Wah Dai Ha, and Tam made a habit of playing at the one downstairs from his home. However, there were still too many players, and to use the table, you had to bring your own ping pong net and challenge the players already at the table. The winner could stay, while the loser had to give up their spot. Tam admitted that he was not very skilled when he was young, so he always lost these challenges. He then came up with an idea of bringing his ping pong net and challenging every table going from block 1 to block 25. He might lose every game, but was able to play more than a dozen games this way. When the day is over, Tam would hear his mother calling out loud from the light wells for him to come home for dinner. He knew he had to obey her, or else he would receive a lecture such as “Do you think you can make a living by playing ping pong?”

Tam spent most of his childhood in Ming Wah Dai Ha, where he not only played ping pong, but also participated in a variety of activities at the Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs Association (BGCA) and the youth center. During his primary school years, he used to do homework, craftworks and origami at the BGCA. Later, when he was around 15 to 16 years old, he hung out at the youth centre and made some lifelong friends there. He still keeps in touch with them today.

Tam moved out of Ming Wah Dai Ha in the 1990s, but he never really left Shau Kei Wan. He continued to play ping pong here whenever he had time. He started to play ping pong at the wet market next to Ming Wah Dai Ha almost every day for his health when he was 50 years old. He liked this place because he did not have to make appointments and there were always people ready to play with him. In 2017, he and a district councillor organised a Ping Pong Championship at the street court, which attracted dozens of people of all ages and genders. The event was lively and enjoyable for all who participated. 

“Street ping pong is what makes Shau Kei Wan special!” exclaimed Tam. Despite the lack of air conditioning and fancy facilities, Tam regards this place as the best among all the street courts. The court provides a place to keep his belongings, sufficient lighting for clear visibility, and most importantly, he only needs to bring his racket and a ping pong ball to play. Tam finds pleasure in meeting familiar faces and playing with old friends. He also welcomes newcomers and regards them as potential friends. The sound of ping pong at Ming Wah that brought him joy and fulfillment in his youth is now filling his retirement life with vigour and happiness.