Windy Shao windysjf@hotmail.com THE International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA) announced its entry into China and unveiled its China headquarters in Longhua District on Wednesday, marking a significant step in introducing the world’s top pickleball coach certification system to the country. This move aims to advance the professionalization and global outreach of pickleball across China. Seymour Rifkind, chairman and founder of IPTPA, presented the association’s strategies and vision for development in China. He revealed that the association’s next goal is to establish a pickleball academy in China, which will include 40 indoor professional courts. “Pickleball builds community, builds family. It has the physical fitness, the mental fitness, and social fitness. My goal is to see pickleball in the Olympics,” he said. During the press conference, representatives from pickleball associations in Australia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, as well as China’s Hong Kong and Taiwan, shared insights on the growth and experiences of pickleball in their respective countries and regions. Shenzhen, recognized as a key city for pickleball development, is set to be the starting point for IPTPA’s China headquarters. The organization will collaborate with industry partners in Shenzhen and nationally to foster the overall growth of pickleball. The implementation of the pickleball coach certification system and the progression of diverse events are expected to revitalize the sport in China, according to Rifkind. As the foremost coach certification body globally, IPTPA has trained top players worldwide and earned a reputation as “the cradle of world champions.” The organization’s commitment to certifying pickleball coaches and enhancing teaching standards is poised to elevate the sport’s prominence in China and facilitate Chinese players’ global participation. IPTPA’s planned events, such as the Asia IPTPA Coaches Cup and Asia IPTPA Coach Trainee Cup, will enable competitive exchanges among Asian pickleball coaches and trainees, fostering skill development through a professional certification framework. The sport, a dynamic fusion of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide. Recognized for its accessibility and social appeal, the sport has captivated a diverse range of participants across different age groups. It is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, particularly among older adults. Its appeal lies in its simplicity, accessibility, and the fact that it can be played by people of all ages and skill levels. Its popularity is not limited to the U.S. The sport has been gaining traction in countries around the world, including Canada, the U.K., Australia, and various European and Asian countries. It is gradually gaining attention in China, with more enthusiasts taking up the sport. In urban areas like Shanghai and Beijing, pickleball clubs and facilities are starting to emerge to cater to the rising demand. Ramsports, a global pickleball lifestyle brand dedicated to elevating the game, opened a stadium in Longhua District in January this year. The brand’s first pickleball facility in China, it features 3,500 square meters of international standard pickleball courts. China’s pickleball development is still in its early stages compared to the U.S., but efforts are being made to promote the sport and establish a community of players across the country. “Pickleball definitely will be the fastest-growing sport all over the world. Not just only in the U.S. or in Europe, also in Asia, especially in China. And to take one example, I’m from Vietnam. We just played it two years, but last year the sport got pumped up,” Ceci Bao Thu, from a pickleball association in Vietnam, told Shenzhen Daily. | 