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Brandon Moyo, [email protected]

A new sporting discipline that was introduced in Zimbabwe last year, pickleball, has continued making steady growth into the country’s sporting circuit. 

A fairly new sport — not just in Zimbabwe but globally — pickleball has been on an upward trajectory in the country with the governing body already having plans to take it a step further.

The governing body of the sport in the country is known as the Zimbabwe Pickleball Association (ZPA) and is led by Mthandazo Ngwenya whose vice-president is Gladness Ndlovu. Takunda Zhungu is the secretary-general of the association which was formed in December last year.

Since the game’s introduction in Zimbabwe last year, the founding members have registered the association with the global and regional governing bodies that have all been impressed with the progress taking place in making pickleball grow and develop in the country.

Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub, ZPA president Ngwenya said their aim in introducing pickleball in Zimbabwe was so that the country is not left behind. He added that it is beneficial to everyone, both the young and the old.

Ngwenya is pleased with the reception so far and the association will be headquartered in Bulawayo.

“Looking at a new sports code like this one, we wanted to say let’s go with the world because that is where the world is moving. Most racket sports are moving into pickleball so we are saying let’s not be left behind, it’s a new sport even in America. We wanted to introduce this new sport as a target market for developmental purposes especially for young kids that are growing up so that they play at a young age and even for older people so that they can improve their health systems and everything.

“People have welcomed it fairly. When we introduced it here in Bulawayo — that’s where it started. We wanted it headquartered here in Bulawayo because the city is known as the hub of sport. When we had the first pickleball clinic we did at Caravan Park it was well welcomed by Bulawayo people and many wanted to join and we had a lot of inquiries,” said Ngwenya.

As they have been making steady growth, trying to introduce the game to several relevant stakeholders, Ngwenya said they are looking at working with local authorities and the Government to penetrate schools and have the sport played at the junior level.

He added that they will also play host to coaching clinics for teachers so that they are well-equipped with the knowledge of the sport.

“There are plans to have the sport played in schools. One of the participants that were there in our seminar was the City Council. The committee’s section of the council was there and we are planning now to even work with the council in recreational clubs, youth centres and also schools, especially primary schools. We are now waiting for our grant, we were offered a grant by the Global Pickle-ball Federation and the grant includes equipment (peddles, balls and nets).

“We will supply them for free in those schools and even train the teachers to be coaches and we are looking broader to the whole of Zimbabwe because we are a national association. We want to penetrate schools working with local authorities because that is critical,” said Ngwenya.

Pickleball is a racket or paddle sport in which two players (singles) or four players (doubles) hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball with paddles over a 34-inch-high (0,86m) net until one side is unable to return the ball or commits a rule infraction. Pickleball is played indoors and outdoors. It is synonymous with tennis (plus badminton).

ZPA recently held a seminar which was attended by over 200 participants from all over the world and it touched on key areas such as introduction to Pickleball, player development, facilities, equipment, courts, sport’s governance, promotion and sponsorship.

Among the attendees at the seminar — which was hosted online were Global Pickleball Federation (GPF) vice-president Steve Swidell and Confederation of African Pickleball (CAP) secretary-general captain Collins Munene.

There was also a representative from the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture, Bertha Moyo and Sam Dzvimbu from the Sport and Recreation Commission (SRC).

In the seminar, Swidell said he was thrilled to witness the remarkable journey of the ZPA, saying the growth is a testament to the potential of the sport in fostering community, health and engagement. 

– @brandon_maalvin