Brumado's Booming with Pickleball: City Set to Serve at Bahia State Championship
What's the Score?
Pickleball is gaining popularity in Brumado, Bahia, Brazil, since its introduction in 2022 by Alessandra Câmara. The sport, combining elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, has attracted players of all ages. Brumado will be represented in the first stage of the Bahia Pickleball Championship in Porto Seguro from April 4-6, competing in singles, mixed doubles, and men's doubles. Brumado will also host the second stage of the championship in May. Free practice spaces are available in Brumado, and the sport is growing rapidly throughout Bahia.
Hit it deeper!
Pickleball, a sport that creatively blends the key elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, is experiencing a significant surge in popularity in Brumado, a city located in the southwest of Bahia, Brazil. The sport was first introduced to Brumado in 2022 by Alessandra Câmara, an athlete who resides in the United States and is the sister of a local resident. Since its arrival, pickleball has steadily gained traction and has now spread across various age groups within the city, attracting players ranging from young individuals to senior citizens. With its unique equipment, including specific paddles and a perforated ball, and courts that are smaller than traditional tennis courts, pickleball offers an accessible and dynamic sporting experience, which has proven to be particularly appealing to the residents of Brumado. Since its inception in the city, the modality has witnessed substantial growth, and the number of people actively participating continues to increase.
A significant milestone for pickleball in Brumado is the city's participation in the first stage of the Bahia Pickleball Championship, which is scheduled to take place in Porto Seguro from April 4th to 6th. The team representing Brumado will compete in several categories, including Single (individual), three mixed doubles pairs (comprising men and women), and two men's doubles teams, facing off against athletes from various cities across the state of Bahia. This competition presents an excellent opportunity for the players from Brumado to showcase their skills and further strengthen the city's presence in the broader state sports scene. The increasing popularity of pickleball is not limited to Brumado; across the entire state of Bahia, the sport is experiencing a period of rapid growth, with the number of practitioners now exceeding thousands. Luis Pedreira, the technical director of the Bahia Pickleball Federation, emphasizes the immense potential for further growth of the sport, stating, "Pickleball is a fun, dynamic, and accessible sport for people of all ages. We are seeing accelerated growth not only in Bahia but also in other regions of Brazil and abroad".
In addition to competing, Brumado is also preparing to host the second stage of the Bahia Pickleball Championship, which is scheduled to occur between May 16th and 18th. This event is expected to attract pickleball practitioners from various parts of the state, placing Brumado prominently on the state's sporting map. Within Brumado, opportunities to play pickleball are readily available to everyone. The courts at FADESB, CETIB, and Clube Social offer free access for beginners to learn and practice the sport, with equipment provided for those who are just starting out. The municipality has already established categories for different age groups, including juniors, adults, and even adults 50+, promoting inclusivity and encouraging participation from people of all ages in the sport. With the continued growth of pickleball in both Brumado and the wider Bahia region, the city is solidifying its position as an important hub for the practice and development of the sport within the state, and the expectation is that this positive trend will continue to expand in the coming years.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The burgeoning popularity of pickleball in Brumado, Brazil, since its recent introduction, highlights the sport's global appeal and its ability to quickly gain a following in new locales. The proactive involvement of the city in the Bahia Pickleball Championship, both as a competitor and a host, signifies a strong local commitment to the sport's development. The accessibility of free practice spaces and equipment in Brumado is a crucial factor in fostering grassroots participation and inclusivity across different age groups. The rapid growth of pickleball throughout Bahia, as noted by the technical director of the state federation, underscores a broader national trend. Brumado's emergence as a key centre for pickleball in Bahia not only boosts the city's sporting profile but also contributes to the overall expansion of the sport in Brazil. This success story demonstrates how individual initiative and community support can quickly establish pickleball as a vibrant and engaging activity in a new region.