From Wales to Kuwait: Graduate Introduces Pickleball, Successfully Stages Nation's First Tournament
What's the Score?
Hani Haidar, a graduate of Bangor University in Wales, has successfully brought pickleball to Kuwait after discovering the sport during his studies. Through his dedication, he established a growing pickleball community in his home country and recently organised Kuwait's inaugural pickleball tournament, which attracted more than 60 players.
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Hani Haidar, who pursued postgraduate studies at Bangor University in Wales, is credited with introducing the sport of pickleball to Kuwait. While in Wales, Haidar explored various racquet sports. He and his friends were initially unfamiliar with pickleball when they first tried it, even playing it incorrectly like table tennis because they didn't know the rules.
Haidar became quite fond of the sport and sought to learn the proper rules and techniques. He utilised social media to find pickleball clubs in North Wales and reached out to them expressing his interest. The clubs responded with their session schedules. He learned to play according to the official rules at the North Wales Pickleball Club and found the community welcoming and supportive, particularly as he was a beginner with no prior experience. Haidar quickly improved his skills, playing regularly in the North Wales area and even travelling to Anglesey.
As his graduation from Bangor University approached, Haidar realised that he wanted to continue playing pickleball upon his return to Kuwait. Feeling that he "can't live there without pickleball", he decided that establishing a pickleball presence in Kuwait was necessary. Before leaving Wales, he began the process of acquiring the necessary qualifications, such as a Leadership Certification course with Elaine Shallcross in Swansea, to be equipped to lead a pickleball group in Kuwait.
Upon returning to his home country, Haidar actively worked to build a pickleball community. His efforts have led to the community's growth, with both adults and children participating in the sport. The spread of pickleball initiated by Haidar has also contributed to a growing network of groups across the Gulf area, providing players with opportunities to travel, meet other players, and compete in other locations.
A significant milestone in the development of pickleball in Kuwait was the recent staging of the nation's first-ever pickleball tournament. This event was a success, attracting more than 60 players. Haidar has plans to organise additional tournaments in the future, indicating his ongoing commitment to fostering the sport's growth in Kuwait and contributing to its expansion across the Gulf region. Comments from individuals familiar with the UK pickleball scene, like Karen Mitchell and Kath Knowles, noted that players starting in the UK are spreading the game globally, much like how it arrived in the UK, and praised Hani's efforts.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Hani Haidar's journey from discovering pickleball as a student in Wales to organising Kuwait's first tournament is a compelling example of individual passion driving global sport growth at a grassroots level. His initiative to learn the game properly, seek qualifications, and then actively build a community and stage an event demonstrates the dedication required to introduce a new sport to a country. The success of the inaugural tournament, attracting over 60 players, validates his efforts and signals a burgeoning interest in pickleball within Kuwait. This story highlights how personal connections and the welcoming nature often found within the pickleball community can facilitate the sport's spread and lay the foundation for its future development in new regions like the Gulf area. It underscores that the global pickleball phenomenon is often built player by player, driven by individuals committed to sharing the joy of the game.