Executives from the Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank present a commemorative gift to the top-ranked international pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters during her visit to Hà Nội. — Photos courtesy of MB

HÀ NỘI — The visit of world No. 1 pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters has drawn attention to the growing role of speed in both sport and business, as companies face increasing pressure to respond quickly to market shifts.

Waters, 19, attended a business networking event at the Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MB) headquarters on Tuesday, marking the US athlete's first appearance in Asia.

The event was held as part of activities linked to the PPA Asia 1000 – MB Hanoi Cup, bringing together corporate leaders, financial sector representatives and media.

Currently ranked No. 1 globally in women’s singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles, Waters is widely regarded as one of the most dominant players in the sport.

She has won 168 PPA gold medals – the highest in history, surpassing even top-ranked men's player Ben Johns. Her success has been built on speed, precision and consistency, attributes increasingly mirrored in the demands of modern business.

“In professional sport, even a small difference in speed can decide the outcome,” Waters said at the event. “I think that also applies in business, where timing and execution matter just as much.”

DNSE Chairman Nguyễn Hoàng Giang competes in a mixed doubles match alongside top pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters.

Participants noted that the comparison is particularly relevant in financial services, where the speed of capital flows and transaction processing can directly affect business performance.

DNSE Chairman Nguyễn Hoàng Giang said enterprises today require not only access to funding, but also timely disbursement and flexible financial structures.

“When banks can process quickly and release capital at the right moment, businesses are in a much better position to act on opportunities,” he said, adding that delays in financial decisions can translate into missed market chances.

The importance of speed is even more pronounced in the technology sector. CEO of AccessTrade Vietnam Đỗ Hữu Hưng said growth in digital businesses depends heavily on how quickly companies can develop products, expand into new markets and secure funding.

“Financial speed is no longer just a supporting factor – it has become part of a company’s overall competitiveness,” Hưng said.

Data shared at the event suggested that business expectations are shifting. More than half of surveyed enterprises said fast disbursement is their top priority when choosing a banking partner, while approval time and simplified procedures are also key considerations.

This reflects a broader trend in which speed is emerging as a core criterion rather than an added advantage.

In response, banks have been accelerating digital transformation efforts to streamline internal processes and improve customer experience.

MB said it has focused on applying technology to shorten approval cycles and enhance service delivery, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, which are often more sensitive to timing in accessing capital.

Beyond the financial discussion, Waters also highlighted the rapid growth of pickleball in Việt Nam, noting the increasing number of tournaments and the sport’s rising popularity among the business community.

This year's Pickleball World Cup will be held in Đà Nẵng starting in August.

Organisers said Waters' visit aimed to underline the intersection between sport and business, where speed, adaptability and precision are becoming decisive factors in achieving and sustaining a competitive edge. — VNS