Pickleball in China: Thirty Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) student-athletes in Maryland are in China for a special pickleball exchange. The trip includes friendly competitions, cultural activities, and city tours in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing to build international friendships through sports.
Pickleball and Cultural Connections
The MCPS students are playing friendly pickleball matches with Chinese students. Along with competitions, they are joining city walks, learning traditional Chinese crafts, and visiting major sites like the China Table Tennis Museum.
“It’s actually really amazing that even on different sides of the world, we know exactly what we’re talking about. And it’s like we’re one person,” said Sheraz Hassan Bashir, an MCPS student-athlete.
“Right now, we’re like best friends, like we’ve known each other for years.” – (Hassan Bashir)
The exchange highlights the unifying power of pickleball across different cultures.
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Pickleball as a Bridge Between Nations
Jeffrey Sullivan, Director of Systemwide Athletics for MCPS, spoke about the trip’s larger purpose.
“Decades ago, ping pong or table tennis was a sport that brought U.S. and China relations together and spearheaded positive relations. So, we see, pickleball is something in the present day now. On this tour, our student athlete ambassadors, have an opportunity to bring our countries together.” – (Sullivan)
Before traveling, students prepared by practicing at Dill Dinkers and attending Chinese cultural sessions. JOOLA supplied paddles and apparel for the group.
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A Growing Program at MCPS
MCPS was the first school district in the country to offer varsity pickleball. It started in 2023 at 11 schools and expanded to all 25 high schools in 2024.
The Importance of the Exchange
The trip shows how sports like pickleball can connect people from different parts of the world. It also highlights the role of young athletes as ambassadors of goodwill. Future exchanges like this could further strengthen international relationships.
News in Brief: Pickleball in China
Thirty student-athletes from Montgomery County Public Schools are in China for a pickleball exchange. They are competing in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing while taking part in cultural activities. The trip shows pickleball’s power to connect people worldwide and promotes goodwill between the United States and China.
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