For the 3rd year in a row, idol group�AKB48 will be doing the theme song to TV Tokyo's "World of Ping Pong" ("Sekai Takkyuu"). TV Tokyo will replay the performance of the song, "Overtake", on May 8th.

This year there were nine members who were involved, and it was�Takahashi Minami, Minegishi Minami, Miyazawa Sae, and Yokoyama Yui's third time participating in the event.

Takahashi stated that ping pong is very intense and that it requires a lot of stamina and good health. She also said that they wanted to do what ever they can to support the sport.

Member�Umeda Ayaka has been playing ping pong since middle school, and said that when your facing the opponent, it's like a battle in a milliunit and it takes a lot of effort. Additionally, she encouraged everyone to play.

The main caster for the event is Fukuzawa Akira (47), and he is considered to be the most experienced and knowledgable in the world of ping pong. This year's conference will be held at Rotterdamn, Netherlands, where fourteen men and women, including Fukuhara Ai and Ishikawa Kasumi, will represent Japan.

Source: Nikkan Sports