Hong Kong Teens Turn to Pickleball for Fun, Fitness, and Friendship

In a Kowloon Bay gym where badminton once reigned, the unmistakable thwack of a wiffle ball now signals something new: pickleball is catching fire among Hong Kong’s youth. With minimal equipment, fast-paced action, and a social vibe, the sport is drawing in teenagers who might otherwise dread traditional PE. Former gym teacher Kennedy Lai, now head of the Newly Emerged Sports Association, has found in pickleball what many educators seek—a sport kids can learn in a day and love for a lifetime. And with initiatives like the Fly High Charity Sports Programme offering first-time lessons, even skeptics are finding themselves hooked.

The secret to pickleball’s success in Hong Kong isn't just its simplicity—it’s how well it fits the city’s space constraints and lifestyle. Badminton courts are easily convertible, and the risk of injury is low, which makes schools and parents more willing to get on board. It’s not unusual now to see classrooms transformed into courts, and once disengaged students suddenly immersed in forehands and footwork. Even students with no prior sports interest are jumping in, finding the quick learning curve and teamwork format refreshingly accessible compared to more complex sports like basketball or volleyball.

Still, challenges remain. Schools must juggle packed PE curriculums, and the need for more trained instructors is pressing. Lai is addressing this head-on by certifying over 50 new coaches and referees this year. With support from private and public sectors, courts are popping up, and attitudes are shifting. What was once dismissed as a "sport for the elderly" is now a source of connection and confidence for young athletes. As one student put it, “You can’t imagine how fun it is—until you play.” For Hong Kong’s future pickleballers, the game has only just begun.