The short answer: Pickleball in Cuba is growing through the work of Carlos López, whose social media posts of games in parks and streets reached Lulu from the US franchise Dill Dinkers. She travelled to Cuba with balls, paddles and merchandise, and together they ran community sessions, including at a former tennis club with more than a century of history.
BY CARLOS LOPEZ, CUBA CORRESPONDENT
A vision without borders
In the vibrant streets of Cuba, a quiet revolution is taking place with a paddle in hand. Carlos López has championed a relentless effort to popularise pickleball, a mission that has refused to be confined by geographical limits. Through a combination of social media outreach and sustained community work, López has successfully sparked the interest of coaches, professionals, and enthusiasts far beyond the island’s shores.
The Dill Dinkers connection
The power of this digital advocacy became a reality when a message arrived in López’s LinkedIn inbox from Lulu, a member of the renowned United States franchise, Dill Dinkers. Lulu was captivated by the images López shared online—exhibitions in local parks, games played in the streets, and children discovering the joy of the sport. Inspired by what she saw, Lulu travelled from the U.S. to Cuba to personally support López’s vision and learn more about this burgeoning project.
Gear, games, and history
Lulu’s arrival marked a turning point, as she did not come empty-handed; she brought vital supplies including pickleballs, paddles, and official Dill Dinkers merchandise to strengthen the program. Together, she and López promoted community pickleball in open spaces, streets, and parks, proving that the sport is accessible to people of all ages and can be played anywhere.
One of the visit’s most poignant moments occurred at a venue steeped in tradition: a former tennis club with over a century of history. In this historic setting, Cuban children picked up paddles to play pickleball for the first time, filling the air with laughter in a healthy, motivating environment.
More than just a game
This exchange evolved into something far greater than a simple sports clinic; pickleball became a shared purpose and a bridge connecting cultures. The initiative serves as a powerful tool to combat sedentary lifestyles, encouraging physical activity while drawing young people away from excessive video games and out of their comfort zones.
The collaboration between Lulu and Carlos López confirms that this work is making a tangible difference. Today, pickleball in Cuba is no longer just an emerging sport—it is a vehicle for social transformation, a universal language, and a testament to how the passion for playing can unite wills across borders.
