NEWS FROM THE GLOBAL PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY
PLANET
Pickleball
NEWS FROM THE GLOBAL PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY
First International Pickleball Competition in South Africa
M
by STEVEN ABLONDI & CINDY BURNS
WWW . MEMEL . GLOBAL
Memel . Global is announcing an international pickleball competition for recreational players in honor of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace .
A wide array of Americans have booked travel to South Africa for the event , including Vermonters Bill from Manchester , John from Burlington , Mitch and Jen , along with their son Kyle , from West Rutland . Others include Laura from D . C ., Marty and Don from Wisconsin , and we are hoping for Tony from the U . K . and Susan from Canada . Our local Memel club includes not only black and white South Africans of both genders , but workers living here originally from Zimbabwe and Malawi , all of whom will make for a rich cultural mix .
In 2022 , Memel . Global had a public launch of the first dedicated pickleball court in Africa . We chose the International Day of Sport on which to hold that launch . The event garnered considerable media attention , especially considering South Africa ’ s link to the U . N . designation of the special day :
“ The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace in 2013 , recognizing the influence of the successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup by South Africa . This memorable event signified a milestone for South Africa , demonstrating the nation ’ s ability to unite people from diverse backgrounds through the shared love of sport .”
This year , the international competition will serve as a launch for two additional dedicated courts , which have been constructed in a public area .
If you would like to travel to South Africa to engage in our daily recreational play , or participate in this or a future competition , please contact us through our website .
Visit Memel — the birthplace of pickleball in South Africa ! •
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