Friendly Pickleball Match: Chinese and American students played a friendly pickleball match in Shanghai on April 11, as part of a cultural exchange. The event featured 60 student-athletes from Shanghai Luwan Senior High School and Maryland’s Montgomery County Public Schools during a US student tour of China.
Friendship Through Pickleball
The match began with a handshake and was played in a spirit of friendship. Each team had 30 players from their respective schools. Though the game was competitive, students said the goal was connection. ZHENG QUAN, Student, Shanghai Luwan Senior High School
“The game is more like not a competition, but it’s like a communication with other countries.” – (QUAN)
The two student groups first met when the US delegation visited the Shanghai school. Since then, students have bonded over shared interests. SHERAZ HASSAN BASHIR, US High School Student
“So, it’s actually really amazing that even different sides of the world, we know exactly what we’re talking about. And it’s like we’re one person. Like right now, we’re like best friends, like it we know each other for years.” – (BASHIR)
More Than Just a Game
The pickleball match is one of many activities on the US students’ tour. They have also taken part in walks around the city, visited museums, and tried traditional Chinese crafts.
The visit includes stops in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing. The trip is designed to help students from both countries learn from one another. DR. JEFFREY SULLIVAN, Director of Systemwide Athletics, Montgomery County Public Schools
“Decades ago, ping pong or table tennis was a sport that brought US and China relations together and spearheaded positive relations. So, we see, pickleball is something in the present day now. And on this tour to shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing, our delegation, our student athlete ambassadors, have an opportunity to bring our countries together.” – (SULLIVAN)
Looking Ahead
This cultural exchange shows how sports can build understanding. Like ping pong did years ago, pickleball is now helping strengthen ties between the US and China. The rest of the trip will continue that goal as students visit more cities and take part in more shared experiences.
News in Brief: Friendly Pickleball Match
Students from Shanghai and Maryland played a friendly pickleball match in China on April 11. The game was part of a US student tour promoting cultural exchange. Along with pickleball, students are joining city walks and museum tours. The trip also includes stops in Shenzhen and Beijing to deepen international friendship.
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