International Sporting Friendship: Nepal–Britain Friendly Pickleball Tournament

Harsha Sagar Tuladhar

The Nepal–Britain Friendly Pickleball Tournament concluded successfully with exciting matches and strong international camaraderie at Imperial World School in Kathmandu. The tournament brought together pickleball players from Nepal and the United Kingdom, celebrating sportsmanship, cultural exchange, and the rapidly growing popularity of pickleball in Nepal.

The tournament began on February 27, where the Men’s Doubles and Women’s Doubles categories were completed with enthusiastic participation and competitive matches. Players demonstrated impressive skill, teamwork, and determination, reflecting the steady development of pickleball standards in the country.

In the Men’s Doubles category, the Gold Medal was claimed by Manoj Kumar and Dipendra Bajracharya, while Harsha Sagar Tuladhar and Manik Ratna Shakya secured the Silver Medal. The Bronze Medal was awarded to Laxman Thapa and Johan Makaju.

In the Women’s Doubles category, Karyn Duggan and Claire McNight emerged as Gold Medalists. Jenni Goddard and Sue Andrews secured the Silver Medal, while Steph Grace and Pam Simpson won the Bronze Medal for their commendable performance.

The tournament continued on March 7, featuring the Mixed Doubles category, which brought even more excitement to the event. In this category, the Gold Medal was won by Claire McNight and Glen McNight. The Silver Medal went to Dipendra Bajracharya and Gitanjali Gurung, while Nikita Lama and Phatya B. Khadka secured the Bronze Medal after an impressive performance.

The final highlight of the tournament was the much-anticipated Team Clash between Team Nepal and Team UK. The team event consisted of eight matches played for a combined total of 50 points. After a thrilling series of competitive games, Team Nepal emerged victorious, securing the overall win and proudly claiming the Team Event title.

The entire tournament was directed by Jackson Subedi from Nepal Underground Pickleball, whose careful coordination and planning ensured that all matches were conducted smoothly and completed on time without any conflicts. The visiting UK players also expressed their appreciation for the excellent arrangements and professional management of the tournament, complimenting the tournament director and organizers for delivering a well-structured and enjoyable international sporting event.

The President of Pickleball Association Nepal, Mr. Saurav Bhandari, was present throughout the tournament, providing encouragement and support to players and organizers. His presence highlighted the association’s commitment to promoting pickleball across the country.

The tournament was also honored by the presence of the Chief Guest, Mr. Arun Kumar Chaudhary from the Arun Chaudhary Foundation. He expressed his fascination with the sport and the enthusiastic participation witnessed during the event. Impressed by the energy and inclusiveness of pickleball, he shared his intention to take up the sport himself in the near future.

Special appreciation was also extended to Navin Gurung, who played a crucial role in bringing the UK Team to Nepal for this friendly tournament. He expressed his satisfaction with the overall management and organization of the event at Imperial World School and congratulated the Tournament Director, the President of the Association, Nepal Underground Pickleball, The Flash Pickleball Team, and all volunteers for successfully delivering an international sporting event.

The Nepal–Britain Friendly Pickleball Tournament stands as a strong example of how sports can strengthen international friendships, promote community engagement, and inspire new generations of players. The successful completion of all categories and the exciting Team Clash finale have further reinforced the growing momentum of pickleball in Nepal and opened doors for more international collaborations in the future.

(Tuladhar is a Pickleball Player from Nepal)