Pickleball players to challenge in central Việt Nam

Players test a court of Pickleball La Queenara Hoian. More than 100 players will be competing in the Community International Pickleball Tournament, VTV8-La Queenara Cup on June 14-15. Photo courtesy of VTV8

HỘI AN — More than 100 players will be competing in the Community International Pickleball Tournament, VTV8-La Queenara Cup, for total cash-prizes of VNĐ130 million (US$5,200) on June 14-15.

Competitors will start the qualifiers in the men’s and women’s 6.5 and 7.5 doubles events at Pickleball La Queenara Hoian in Điện Bàn Town on June 14, with knock outs and finals the following day.

The tournament organisers said pickleball is a relatively new sport in Việt Nam, and the event aims to boost its popularity among residents, visitors and expats living in central Việt Nam, as well as Hội An – a favourite destination of international travellers.

The area is already popular in sporting terms, with locals and visitors enjoying golf, tennis, surfing and beach activities in Đà Nẵng and Hội An.

Pickleball, which originated in Washington, US, US 59 years ago, is a fusion of tennis, badminton and table tennis.

It was introduced to Việt Nam in 2018.