Call for pickleball’s introduction to Tanzania schools

Dar es Salaam. Young people in Tanzania have been encouraged to participate in pickleball, a sport that blends elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton.

This call was said during the 2025 Tanzanite Padel and Pickleball Open Championship, a two-day event held last Friday and Saturday at Tanzanite Sports Hub in Dar es Salaam.

More than 80 players from Egypt, India, Madagascar, Kenya, and host country Tanzania competed in the tournament organized by Tanzanite Sports Hub.

Speaking at the event, various players highlighted the sport’s growing international opportunities and urged Tanzanian youth to get involved. Indian professional player Aditya Ruhela described pickleball as easy to learn and recommended that Tanzania invest in infrastructure to nurture talent.

 “This sport has gained significant recognition globally It’s easy to learn and play, and it offers job opportunities. Tanzanian youth should embrace this chance,” he said.

Tanzanian player Hussein Dewji emphasized the sport’s increasing popularity in the country.

“The demand for this game is growing. It’s important for more people to participate because anyone, regardless of age, can play,” he noted. Women players like Susanne Ott from Egypt and Stephanie Segui from Madagascar shared insights into pickleball’s rising prominence worldwide.

Pickleball’s rapid growth in Tanzania

Mohamed Rajani, a key stakeholder, highlighted pickleball’s fast-paced growth in both Tanzania and globally.

In Tanzania, pickleball was introduced in 2017, and some players have already had opportunities to compete in tournaments such as the Kenya Open, India Open, and events in the United States. Rajani urged the inclusion of pickleball in schools and the construction of more courts across the country, not just in Dar es Salaam but nationwide. “With courts available throughout the country and its inclusion in schools, more people will participate, and we’ll develop the talent needed to represent Tanzania internationally,” Rajani explained. He commended Tanzanite Sports Hub for organizing various tournaments and rewarding winners but stressed the need for greater recognition to further promote the sport.

“Organizers like Tanzanite Sports Hub are doing a great job, but they need more recognition so we can achieve even greater milestones,” he added. Rajani also emphasized the importance of introducing pickleball at the school level to allow children to learn and develop skills early for future success.

Understanding pickleball

Rajani explained that pickleball shares similarities with tennis, though it is played on a smaller court with a less bouncy ball. “Pickleball originates from tennis and table tennis. The main differences are the court size, the type of ball, the paddles used, and the scoring system,” he said.

Tanzanite Championship Highlights

Athuman Hamis, one of the coordinators of the Tanzanite Padel and Pickleball Championship, noted that this year’s tournament featured various categories, demonstrating the sport’s inclusivity and versatility.

"The organizers of this tournament, Tanzanite Sports Hub, are doing a great job hosting various competitions and offering prizes for winners, but they need recognition to help the sport progress," he said.

Rajani also suggested introducing pickleball at the school level to give children an opportunity to learn the sport as an alternative activity in the future.

Explaining the game, Rajani said that Pickleball is similar to tennis, though the court used for Pickleball is smaller, and the ball does not bounce as much as a tennis ball.

"Pickleball is a game derived from tennis and table tennis. "The difference between pickleball and tennis includes the court size, the type of ball used, the rackets, and the scoring system," he said.