For Murhad Hussain, table tennis has become about so much more than winning matches (not that he’s a stranger to that).
Growing up in Tower Hamlets in East London, the sport gave him somewhere to go, something to focus on and opportunities his family might otherwise have struggled to afford. A charity programme provided access to coaching and equipment, helping a young Murhad develop the discipline and confidence that would eventually take him to the Commonwealth Games where he represented the land of his parents’ birth, Bangladesh.
“I believe in the power of sport. Not just this sport, but the power of any sport to make an impact.”
And that’s exactly what he’s looking to make through his business, Spinlab ABZ, a dedicated table tennis facility in Aberdeen.
“I come from one of the poorest backgrounds in the UK, and I would not have achieved all that I have had it not been for the discipline that was installed in me through the sport.”
It was in trying to find ways to make a living whilst competing that Murhad realised he could contribute more than simply entertaining a crowd.
“I wanted to pursue something in sport. I started doing my master's degree in Sport Business Management, just trying to find ways to make some income but still having the freedom to train.”
Spinlab ABZ is based in a former car showroom at the Arches on South College Street. The 325 square metre venue has eight competition standard tables and specialist flooring from the same manufacturer and specification used at the Paris Olympics. Players can book courts online, with bats and balls provided, while classes and coaching are also planned.
For Murhad, however, the ambition goes far beyond simply filling tables.
As a Community Interest Company, Spinlab ABZ plans to reinvest in its social purpose, including creating subsidised or free sessions for young people who might otherwise struggle to take part. Murhad also hopes to work with local schools and develop a breakfast club where children can eat, get active and start the school day ready to learn.
“They might find discipline in coming here regularly and they can learn responsibility if they are representing the facility in national competition. It’ll keep them focused on something positive and potentially stop them going down the wrong roads.”
Turning his idea into a functioning venue, however, meant learning a different set of skills.
Murhad’s passion for table tennis is matched by a real determination to use sport to create opportunities for people in Aberdeen. It has been fantastic to support him as he turned that ambition into a working facility. Our role has been to help Murhad navigate some of the practical challenges of opening his first premises, from staffing and pricing to planning for those crucial early months, and to give him a sounding board as the business develops.
Murhad first approached Business Gateway in January 2026 as he worked towards opening Spinlab ABZ. Through one-to-one support, he received guidance around securing and operating business premises, including the lease process, change of use, staffing, payroll and some of the practical requirements involved in running the facility.
For Murhad, who was relatively new to Aberdeen, the local knowledge was particularly valuable.
“I think as someone that wasn’t born in Aberdeen that was crucial. Whether it's the networking or the connections they provide or understanding how the city council may work differently to the council I may be used to, it was invaluable. I might understand the table tennis community, but I may not understand the general public like I need to.”
Murhad is now receiving Business Gateway’s Early-Stage Growth support, as he prepares to employ staff for the first time and test decisions around areas such as pricing as Spinlab ABZ establishes itself.
Keith Smith, Business Gateway adviser, said: “Murhad’s passion for table tennis is matched by a real determination to use sport to create opportunities for people in Aberdeen. It has been fantastic to support him as he turned that ambition into a working facility. Our role has been to help Murhad navigate some of the practical challenges of opening his first premises, from staffing and pricing to planning for those crucial early months, and to give him a sounding board as the business develops.”
Murhad’s work has already gained recognition well beyond Aberdeen. He is one of just 25 Young Leaders selected globally by the International Olympic Committee for its 2025 to 2028 programme. The initiative identifies young people with ideas for using sport to create positive social change and comes with a support grant of $10,000 over four years.
The long-term vision is ambitious. Murhad hopes to grow participation across Aberdeen, develop competitive players and, eventually, take the Spinlab ABZ model to other cities. Above all, he wants to create the kind of opportunities through sport that made such a difference to his own life.
A man not content with achieving just one goal, he recently took up competitive powerlifting and, in July, became Scottish national champion in the men’s 66kg category.
Heavy lifting, it seems, is all in a day’s work for Murhad Hussain.