Pickleball

Vũ Thanh Thủy, VTV Times editors-in-chief, speaks at the press briefing of the VTV Times Pickleball tournament which will be held on June 22-23 in Hà Nội. — Photo vtv.vn

HÀ NỘI — The national largest amateur VTV Times Pickleball tournament (VVP Tour) will be held at the Cầu Giấy District's Culture, Information, Sports and Tourism Centre in Hà Nội on June 22-23.

Organisers expect as many as 500 athletes will compete in 13 categories for different levels. In some categories, the number of competitors have exceeded the organising board's plan.

They will play in round robin format in the group stage in which they will get to 11 points within a two-point margin in one set. Top two players will advance to the knockout round of 15-point set. In the finals, players will compete in three sets of 11 points.

"Pickleball is an interesting and easy to play sport. We have seen many people who can play well after from eight to 10 training sessions," said Vũ Thanh Thủy, VTV Times editors-in-chief and member of the organisers

"It is a sport suitable for different classes of people, regardless of gender and age. Therefore, we hope to organise a tournament that can create a playground for many beginners in pickleball in Việt Nam."

Attending the press briefing of the tournament, player Duy Anh said: "I used to play badminton and table tennis and when I switched to pickleball, I found this sport not too difficult.

"This is a competitive sport, not to mention factors related to fashion and health, in particular. This helps pickleball create a growing community in Việt Nam."

Pickleball originated from Bainbridge Island, Washington (USA) and has undergone 59 years of development. This is a sport that combines tennis, badminton and table tennis, suitable for people with dexterity and agility in small space. It was introduced to Việt Nam in 2018 and is growing rapidly in the country. — VNS