Table Tennis Stars Serve Up a Sustainable Business

At the Houston International Table Tennis Academy (HITTA), two sisters are not only chasing their dreams of joining the USA National Team but are also turning waste into wonder. Twelve-year-old Anya Shanbhag and her eight-year-old sister, Mira Shanbhag, are a dynamic duo both on the court and off it, demonstrating that passion and a little creativity can make a big impact.

Under the expert guidance of coaches Wang Hui, Wantong Liu, and Hangyu Li, the Shanbhag sisters are relentlessly training to reach the pinnacle of table tennis. They train 30-40 hours a week that includes physical training, multiball drills, serve & return practice, rally drills and match simulation tactics. Anya, at just 12, has already made a name for herself. She is a proud member of the US National Team across several junior age groups and had the honor of representing her country at the Jr. Pan Am games in 2024.

Following closely in her sister's footsteps, Mira is an emerging talent in her own right. Her hard work recently paid off in a big way when she celebrated her first major victory, winning the US Nationals U11 Girls Doubles title in 2025. With a bright future ahead of them, these sisters are a force to be reckoned with.

While dedicating 30+ hours a week to their training, the girls couldn't help but notice a recurring problem: the amount of waste generated. Broken table tennis balls and discarded rubber scraps were a frequent sight, destined for the trash. With the encouragement of their coaches and HITTA CEO Chong Pang, Anya and Mira decided to do something about it.

Anya (12): "I kept seeing so many broken table tennis balls being thrown away, and it felt like such a waste. My sister Mira and I wanted to do something creative with them. Instead of trash, we thought—why not turn them into art that people can enjoy?"

Mira (8): "I saw the broken balls and thought they still looked fun. I didn’t want them to just be thrown away. Anya and I started making little decorations, and it was exciting to turn something old into something new."

This simple observation sparked a brilliant idea, leading to the creation of Bounce & Bloom Crafts. The company is their passion project, focused on transforming these wasted materials into beautiful and functional decor, gifts, and keepsakes. From holiday ornaments to home decor and playful toys, their delightful items are all made from materials that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill.

Chong Pang, CEO of HITTA, expressed his pride in the girls' initiative. "We are incredibly proud of Anya and Mira," he said. "They are not only talented athletes but also forward-thinking individuals. Their efforts with Bounce & Bloom Crafts help us at HITTA reduce our waste and turn what was once considered trash into treasure. It's a fantastic example for all our students."

In April, the girls put their entrepreneurial skills to the test by setting up a shop at a local business fair. Their unique, recycled creations were a hit! Adults and kids alike were captivated by their craftsmanship and the story behind their products. Many customers did not even realize these were made from recycled table tennis balls. While kids were excited about these toys as gifting items, parents were excited to use these as holiday décor. The positive feedback has inspired the sisters to continue their journey with Bounce & Bloom Crafts. This experience has been invaluable, teaching them essential skills in entrepreneurship and customer service.

In the future, they hope to reach others through an online store and by sharing their creations at fairs and community events. We wish them the very best as they continue to grow and inspire.