Kuwait Hosts First Pickleball Tournament, Eyes National Recognition
What's the Score?
Kuwait recently marked a significant milestone with the hosting of its first-ever pickleball tournament on April 18. This event was a culmination of years of dedicated effort by Hani Haidar, the founder of Pickleball Kuwait, who discovered the sport abroad and was determined to introduce it to his home country. Despite challenges like limited courts, Haidar has been actively building a community through classes, school visits, and engaging with different age groups, and is now seeking official government recognition to further elevate the sport and potentially form a national team. The tournament's success demonstrates the growing interest and potential for pickleball in Kuwait and the wider Gulf region.
Hit it deeper!
On April 18, Kuwait reached a major milestone in its sports community by hosting the first-ever pickleball tournament in the West Asian country. The event took place at The British School of Kuwait in Salwa, bringing together sixty competitors of various skill levels across six courts. The tournament also attracted ten sponsors and an estimated 100 spectators, contributing to a festive atmosphere.
Staging this inaugural tournament was a dream come true for Hani Haidar, the founder of Pickleball Kuwait. Haidar's journey with pickleball began while he was pursuing postgraduate studies at Bangor University in North Wales. Intrigued by the option to book pickleball courts, he initially played with friends, treating it somewhat like table tennis before learning the official rules through online resources and finding local clubs in Wales where he could play and learn. Determined to bring this newfound passion back home after completing his Master's degree in electronic engineering in late 2023, Haidar enrolled in the Pickleball Leaders Certification program offered by Pickleball England. He took courses in Manchester and Swansea to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to introduce the game to others. "I didn’t want to return to Kuwait without pickleball," he insisted.
Upon his return, Haidar wasted no time, telling friends they should start a club. He created an Instagram account for Pickleball Kuwait and actively marketed the sport, inviting people to give it a try. These grassroots efforts have been successful, with the pickleball community in Kuwait growing "day by day". To further legitimise the movement, Haidar also contacted the International Pickleball Federation and received their approval to make Pickleball Kuwait official.
Despite the current scarcity of dedicated pickleball courts in Kuwait, Haidar is making concerted efforts to showcase the sport nationwide. He understands the importance of building awareness and spreading the message. Over the past two years, Pickleball Kuwait has organised classes for children and offers school visits to introduce students to the game. They are working to engage kids, adults, and are actively trying to encourage seniors to participate as well. A key step for the sport's future involves meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Youth. Gaining approval from the Ministry would be transformative, potentially allowing for the creation of a national team to represent Kuwait in tournaments around the world. Haidar sees this as crucial for promoting the sport at a higher level.
The success of the country's inaugural tournament is seen as a strong indicator that things are moving in a positive direction. Haidar expressed immense satisfaction with how the event unfolded, noting that every court was full and the turnout exceeded his expectations from when they started with just a few friends. He described it as an "amazing day" and told friends who came that he had "dreamed of this day," emphasising its special significance. Haidar finds pickleball personally fulfilling, calling it "amazing," a "great workout," and a "great hobby". He firmly believes that pickleball has a bright future in Kuwait.
Looking regionally, Haidar is optimistic about pickleball flourishing across the Persian Gulf, observing a spike in interest in neighbouring countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Building connections within this regional community is important; he has messaged clubs in the Gulf area and visited Dubai to play and connect with their community, noting Dubai has many players and courts. This regional engagement is practical, with eight players from Kuwait scheduled to participate in the upcoming Dubai Open. There's even a "GCC Group" WhatsApp chat for the Gulf area to share news and experiences. Haidar's persistence and determination in leading these grassroots efforts are clearly seen as pivotal for the sport's development in Kuwait.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Kuwait's first pickleball tournament is far more than just a single event; it represents the fruition of dedicated grassroots efforts and signals the potential for significant growth. Hani Haidar's personal journey and tireless work in establishing Pickleball Kuwait and building a community from scratch are fundamental to the sport's progress in the country. The tournament's success, attracting players, sponsors, and spectators despite resource limitations, demonstrates a clear appetite for pickleball in Kuwait. The crucial step now is securing official government recognition, which would unlock opportunities for structured development, national team formation, and international competition, integrating Kuwait into the global pickleball landscape. By fostering local engagement and connecting with the wider Gulf pickleball community, Kuwait is laying essential groundwork that could see it emerge as a notable participant in the region's growing pickleball scene.