Capitol Hill’s New Pickleball Court Opens, Replacing Tennis

Embracing Change: From Tennis to Pickleball

The adoption ceremony was more than a symbolic gesture. It granted PFNMTI the authority to resurface the old tennis courts, transforming them into four dedicated pickleball courts. The project is backed financially by Triple J, whose commitment will cover the necessary resurfacing costs.

In his address, PFNMTI President Nelson Krum highlighted the rapid growth of pickleball in Saipan over the past four years. “In a very short four years, we have grown to have six different groups playing pickleball between Tinian and here (Saipan),” Krum noted. He listed the various locations where pickleball is played, including three courts in Tinian, Koblerville, Hopwood Junior High, Marianas High School, American Memorial Park, and Capitol Hill.

Krum acknowledged that while pickleball is gaining popularity on Saipan, it has not yet reached the explosive growth seen in America and other parts of the world. Nonetheless, the local enthusiasm is palpable, and the federation is optimistic about the sport’s future on the island.

A Vision for Sports and Community

Mayor Camacho’s speech reflected a broader vision for the community, emphasizing the importance of sports in fostering unity and promoting a healthier lifestyle. He spoke of his efforts to engage with Saipan’s diverse ethnic communities to better understand their needs and how sports can play a role in addressing them.

“This island is a diverse community and is no longer just Chamorro and Carolinian, As a mayor, what I’m doing now is visiting ethnic communities and asking how they can help me help the community. Sports is so important to curb all these juveniles that have nothing to do after school, summer, and this is so important for them.” -(Mayor Camacho)

Camacho also identified sports tourism as a potential new driver of the local economy. “We’re all squabbling about Japanese tourism, Korean tourism, but what about promoting sports tourism? I think this is it now. We can talk about promoting and driving the economy by putting the CNMI in the spotlight for tourism, specifically sports tourism,” he added.

Promoting a Better Lifestyle

Admitting that pickleball was a new sport to him, Camacho expressed his commitment to promoting it, especially among the youth. He encouraged the community to support this initiative, seeing it as a pathway to a better lifestyle for the island’s younger residents.

The ceremony concluded with a group photo, capturing the momentous occasion. Guests were then invited to try their hand at pickleball on the newly turned-over courts, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Capitol Hill and the community it serves.

With the dedication of the PFNMTI and the support of local government and sponsors, the future of pickleball in Saipan looks bright, promising not just a new sport but a new way for the community to come together and thrive.