Veteran shares vision for pickleball development in Shenzhen and China

Seymour Rifkind, the founder and president of the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA) and the World Pickleball Federation (WPF), mentioned that pickleball is still in its early stages in Shenzhen during a news conference Wednesday, where he announced IPTPA’s introduction into China.

Seymour Rifkind (2nd R), founder and president of the IPTPA and the World Pickleball Federation (WPF), poses with players before a guest competition of IPTPA at Ramsports Pickleball Stadium in Longhua District on Wednesday. Photos by Windy Shao

Having visited the city six times since 2017, he described Shenzhen as a fast-paced city and expressed his vision for the sport’s growth potential, stating, “I am always envisioning pickleball and its future in a city like Shenzhen. Clearly, I think it’s still in its infancy, but it will continue to expand rapidly.”

In discussing his plans for Shenzhen and China, Rifkind showed great enthusiasm for establishing a pickleball academy. The American entrepreneur outlined his exploration of various interested cities. He said the academy will feature 40 indoor courts and dormitories capable of accommodating 200 athletes and coaches.

He also shared his vision to franchise facilities with multiple courts, targeting potential locations in cities such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Macao, and Hong Kong. Rifkind emphasized the importance of collaboration between governmental entities and the private sector to enhance pickleball infrastructure. “We are eager to offer our expertise to contribute to the global growth of pickleball,” he stated.

Rifkind founded the IPTPA in 2015 and the WPF in 2018. He has spearheaded efforts to showcase pickleball at the World Maccabi Games in Israel, an IOC-sanctioned event, and at the Asian Games in China in 2023, another IOC-sanctioned event.

Players compete in a guest match of IPTPA at Ramsports Pickleball Stadium in Longhua District on Wednesday.

Rifkind shared, “It was nationally televised in China. We had close to 5 million people tune in within the first half-hour. That was the largest single event ever in the sport of pickleball. And at that time, pickleball was still relatively new in China.”

“We also conducted a major exhibition at the Water Cube in Beijing in 2019 and invited 200 government officials. It was at that event where I think a number of the government officials recognized that pickleball is an incredibly popular sport,” he mentioned.

“What I shared with the government officials in China was that I knew that over the past five or six Olympics, more than 50% of badminton and table tennis Olympic medals went to China. I am confident that when we do get into the Olympic Games, China has a chance to win the first medals,” he added, noting that no country is in a better position than China to succeed in racket sports.

Attendees share their vision for pickleball development.

Discussing the potential inclusion of pickleball in the Olympic Games, Rifkind expressed optimism about its acceptance as early as 2028. “I can’t say it will definitely happen, but I can tell you that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) likes pickleball very much,” he said

Highlighting the sport’s appeal to a broad demographic and its cost-effective nature, he added, “Some of the other sports that attract young people, once they age, they outgrow the sport. But people can play pickleball well into their 80s.”

“When you consider all the criteria the IOC considers when introducing a new sport, pickleball fits for all those reasons along with the sport’s popularity itself,” he affirmed.

Seymour Rifkind presents certifications to qualified trainees during the news conference.

Rifkind, 74, has visited over 40 countries and regions certifying teachers to teach pickleball. IPTPA has instructors in 65 countries and regions worldwide. “Once you have facilities, member countries tell us that the most important thing then is that they have qualified teachers. We are very concerned about the safety of our sport. We provide quality instruction focusing on safety first.”

With a background in athletics and having been a full scholarship gymnast who won medals in world competitions, Rifkind has coached over 40 All-American high school gymnasts and worked with five Olympians and two Olympic Champions.

“My background in gymnastics gave me the work ethic, integrity, and drive that are essential for success, not only as a gymnast but also as a coach. I have endeavored to bring those characteristics and apply them to pickleball because a good coach is a good coach, regardless of the sport,” he told Shenzhen Daily.

He believes the key lies in learning the intricacies and unique skills of the new sport and in studying, preparing, and genuinely caring for the students’ best interests.

“If you always put your students first and you work hard — keep up with the changes that the sport undergoes while still maintaining the qualities of great teaching — you will be successful,” he said.

IPTPA launches China headquarters in Shenzhen

The International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA) announced its entry into China and unveiled its China headquarters in Longhua District on Wednesday, marking a significant step in introducing the world’s top pickleball coach certification system to the country.

This move aims to advance the professionalization and global outreach of pickleball across China.

Seymour Rifkind, chairman and founder of IPTPA, presented the association’s strategies and vision for development in China. He revealed that the association’s next goal is to establish a pickleball academy in China, which will include 40 indoor professional courts.

Attendees share their visions for pickleball development.

“Pickleball builds community, builds family. It has the physical fitness, the mental fitness, and social fitness. My goal is to see pickleball in the Olympics,” he said.

During the press conference, representatives from pickleball associations in Australia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, as well as China’s Hong Kong and Taiwan, shared insights on the growth and experiences of pickleball in their respective countries and regions.

Shenzhen, recognized as a key city for pickleball development, is set to be the starting point for IPTPA’s China headquarters. The organization will collaborate with industry partners in Shenzhen and nationally to foster the overall growth of pickleball.

The implementation of the pickleball coach certification system and the progression of diverse events are expected to revitalize the sport in China, according to Rifkind.

Seymour Rifkind grants certificate to a qualified trainee.

As the foremost coach certification body globally, IPTPA has trained top players worldwide and earned a reputation as “the cradle of world champions.” The organization’s commitment to certifying pickleball coaches and enhancing teaching standards is poised to elevate the sport’s prominence in China and facilitate Chinese players’ global participation.

IPTPA’s planned events, such as the Asia IPTPA Coaches Cup and Asia IPTPA Coach Trainee Cup, will enable competitive exchanges among Asian pickleball coaches and trainees, fostering skill development through a professional certification framework.

The sport, a dynamic fusion of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide. Recognized for its accessibility and social appeal, the sport has captivated a diverse range of participants across different age groups.

It is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, particularly among older adults. Its appeal lies in its simplicity, accessibility, and the fact that it can be played by people of all ages and skill levels.

Its popularity is not limited to the U.S. The sport has been gaining traction in countries around the world, including Canada, the U.K., Australia, and various European and Asian countries.

It is gradually gaining attention in China, with more enthusiasts taking up the sport. In urban areas like Shanghai and Beijing, pickleball clubs and facilities are starting to emerge to cater to the rising demand.

Ramsports, a global pickleball lifestyle brand dedicated to elevating the game, opened a stadium in Longhua District in January this year. The brand’s first pickleball facility in China, it features 3,500 square meters of international standard pickleball courts.

China’s pickleball development is still in its early stages compared to the U.S., but efforts are being made to promote the sport and establish a community of players across the country.

“Pickleball definitely will be the fastest-growing sport all over the world. Not just only in the U.S. or in Europe, also in Asia, especially in China. And to take one example, I’m from Vietnam. We just played it two years, but last year the sport got pumped up,” Ceci Bao Thu, from a pickleball association in Vietnam, told Shenzhen Daily.