2024 Asian Open Junior Pickleball Championships starts in Vietnam

Athletes from Malaysia, Japan, China, India, Taiwan (China), and Vietnam, are competing for 12 sets of medals in various categories, including men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, and women’s doubles for ages U12 to U16, said Nguyen Thanh Hong, director of the Quang Nam provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, at the opening ceremony.

The event aims to introduce Pickleball as a growing movement worldwide, particularly in Asia and Vietnam, emphasizing its expanding popularity and the numerous health benefits it offers, said Hong, adding this sport is an excellent way to enhance physical fitness, promote teamwork, and foster community engagement.

According to organisers, young athletes participating in this tournament all have impressive competition records in various domestic, regional, continental, and global junior Pickleball events. Notably, Vietnamese athlete Sophia Tran Phuong Anh, 16, won two Gold medals in the mixed doubles category for U18 and 19+ at the 2024 World Pickleball Championship recently held in Bali, Indonesia.

The four-day tournament is being organized by the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Quang Nam, in collaboration with the Asia Federation of Pickleball and DHL Event Media Joint Stock Company.

Pickleball in Vietnam has been gaining popularity rapidly in recent years. The sport, which combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, is appealing to a wide range of age groups due to its accessibility and the fun, social atmosphere it fosters.

With ongoing support from the community and the government, the potential for pickleball to thrive in Vietnam looks promising. The establishment of training programs and partnerships with international organizations can further enhance the development of the sport, creating opportunities for Vietnamese athletes to compete on larger stages.