On June 27, the courts at Suzhou Shishan Park were alive with streaks of bright yellow, as pickleballs arced and darted through the air in a lively dance. Under the guidance of the Suzhou Foreign Affairs Office and the Suzhou Bureau of Sports, and organized by the General Office of Suzhou People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Suzhou International Cultural Exchange Center, and the Suzhou Association of Social Sports Instructors, 2026 Suzhou International Pickleball Day kicked off with enthusiasm. Forty-eight players from nine countries and regions, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Iran, and South Africa, took part in the event.
Unlike regular sports competitions, the key themes for this event were friendship and exploration. Many participants were pickleball beginners, some even holding a racket for the first time. To help the new players quickly get a basic understanding of the game, training and coaching sessions were arranged before the matches, covering everything from grip to serving rules, with instructors giving quick bilingual tutorials. Thanks to the easy-going vibe, within minutes even the newest players were hitting solid shots. Among the newcomers was Nahal, an Iranian student at Soochow University. With the idea of just coming to have some fun, she thoroughly enjoyed her games. "I love sports, but pickleball is a completely new experience. The racket is heavier than I expected, and my arms are sore after playing, but the charm of competition lies in the focus and release of every stroke," she said.
Brothers Andy Qi and Alan Qi joined the event with their mother. Alan remarked, "We usually study away from home, so it’s rare to have a chance to play sports with our mom. Today, nationality doesn’t matter. We high-fived and encouraged each other on the court, which has brought us closer and also helped foster cross-cultural exchanges."
Kimfpoko from the Republic of the Congo and his three companions were in high spirits throughout the event. During the break, they also flipped through the 2026 Service Guide for International Expats in Suzhou distributed on-site. "It’s like a encyclopedia of life in Suzhou, covering everything we need- transport, medical care, cultural events and so on," Kimfpoko said, giving a thumbs-up. "It’s very practical and helps us get to know Suzhou even better."
Local Suzhou native Jia Siyun, who just graduated from the Physical Education Department of Wuhan University this year, had exciting rallies on court with Le Huy, a Vietnamese student. Right after the match, the two exchanged contact information on the spot. "We have already made plans to play again next week at his school, Soochow University, and we will also compete in basketball and badminton!" Jia said with a laugh. "Sports can be a universal language that needs no translation. "
In recent years, pickleball has been gaining global popularity with a low entry barrier and high interactivity, making it ideal for breaking down social barriers. The Suzhou Foreign Affairs Office organized this event as part of the "International Theme Day" brand series to enable international expats in Suzhou not just to live here, but to build their own network of friends. Following pickleball, more diverse themed activities are planned for the second half of the year to make it easier for international residents to integrate into Suzhou.
审核：施钰超
