PickleballMEXICO
By Javier Regalado
PRESIDENT , LPPM
12 MONTHS OF FIRSTS : A PICKLEBALL CASE STUDY
The past 12 months have been full of excitement and challenging experiences . It has been the result of a vision with a passion . And it ’ s been an honor to be part of the promotion of the fastestgrowing sport in the world .
When we started the Liga Profesional de Pickleball México ( LPPM ) almost three years ago , we had to ask the very basic question of where to begin . How do you promote and introduce a new sport without any financial resources to a country with limited interest in racket sports and different language that could relate to the word pickleball ? Well , like any entrepreneurial endeavor or startup , with a lot of creativity and hard work .
We understood that our biggest asset was to build a team full of talent that would compensate for the lack of funds . Most of our team has been working pro bono and volunteering in a project that all find fascinating .
So , we decided that the best way to promote the sport was for people to play it and experience what the magic ’ s all about when they participate in tournaments and open social play . We put together a calendar of events that included exhibition and promotional events , as well as regional tournaments .
The result has been incredible . It has been a period of many firsts and great accomplishments :
• The first Latin American National Tour composed of nine tournaments .
• The first broadcasted pickleball tournament on TV in Mexico .
• We started pickleball news and capsules on national TV .
• We traveled more than 8,000 miles .
• We reached most geographical regions of the country .
• More than 700 players participated in our tournaments .
• Players from 14 countries played in our events .
• We introduced pickleball to more than 1,000 people with exhibition events .
• We turned tennis and other sports venues into pickleball courts .
• We achieved support with major endemic and non-endemic sponsorships .
• We started promoting pickleball in public schools .
• We have created social gatherings where people have met new friends .
• We have brought joy , enthusiasm and happiness to many communities and individuals .
• We have put a lot of smiles on people ’ s faces .
• We have organized competitive events that become aspirational to young players .
• The LPPM is part of the task force working on unifying the sport globally .
Yes , we need to learn and improve on many fronts . We ’ ve had criticism and there ’ s certainly always room to be better . But not even our detractors can take away our major achievements , which outweigh by far our faults . We have invested large amounts of time and sacrificed family moments , risking many things in the personal and public scenes . My team has worked hard and exhausted all the possibilities to bring players the best experience . My admiration and tremendous respect go to those I had the privilege of working with : John , Jorge , Mari Jose , Rodrigo , Natalia , Paulette , Victor , Toño , Ernesto , Gaby , Marina , Marco , Andrés , Jesse , Paco , Eduardo , Luis , Fernanda , and Oscar to name a few . You all have my deepest gratitude — you are the heart and soul of the LPPM .
Finally , we have achieved or provoked , with our accomplishments and mistakes , encouraging others to organize and promote pickleball through clinics , tournaments and events . Competition is good and healthy . After all , that ’ s what pickleball and any other sport is about . So , we welcome any other efforts that will help promote and grow pickleball .
We are working on a very exciting and fun calendar of events for 2023 and beyond . We are about to make great announcements on our growth . Please visit our web page for details .
If we haven ’ t met you , we really hope we can see you visiting Mexico to play pickleball and have a great time . Thank you for all your support and enthusiasm . •