By Barrie Alpha

Sierra Leone and several countries including Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Benin, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have ensured Pickleball made an historic debut at 13th African Games in Ghana.

Pickleball, a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, has historically debuted at the 13th African Games.

Pickleball teams began their campaigns in the singles tournament at the University of Ghana Netball Court in Accra, on Tuesday, March 11. The Pickleball competition which started on Monday played throughout the week and it will end on Friday, March 15.

 Pickleball which was introduced in Sierra Leone about four months ago is among the seven demonstration sports in the form of esports, mixed martial arts, pickleball, scrabble, speedball, sambo and teqball.

According to the acting President, James Johnson, Sierra Leone missed out in the singles category, because of late arrival; so they were requested that both players played each other which ensured the winner ranked above the loser.

However, in the men’s double category, Sierra Leone was defeated by Benin and Ghana. In the mix double, Sierra Leone defeated Benin and lost to Ghana, before playing with DR Congo on Thursday.

The different categories that participated include Men’s Double, Women’s Double, Men Single, Women’s Single, and Mix Double.

 ‘It was all exciting for the players participating in the sport for the first time as they battled for the first ever pickleball laurels at the African Games,’ the acting President maintained.

‘As a new sport, about four months old, Sierra Leone has been represented in a competition of such nature; it’s great for us and the international federation. At least we are able to participate in the African Games which will send a message globally that Sierra Leone is also playing Pickleball as it would attract other countries to be part of the sport,” he noted.

Dr. Kwabena Akufo, the President of the Confederation of African Pickleball, who doubles as the Ghana Pickleball Association’s President, told the media, in an interview that it had taken great efforts for the sport to be part of the African Games.

‘It is incredible for pickleball to debut at the African Games. We started the Confederation only in August last year, and we decided to be part of the games. We came together, and it is a great achievement, and this is the right step in getting it to the Olympics,’ he said.