In the warm spring of May, a charity donation ceremony titled “Passion for Pickleball, Empowering Youth Growth” was held on May 8 at the pickleball training ground of Yunnan Wild Elephants Club. The GPCC Greater Bay Area Pickleball City Challenge Organizing Committee, Quanzhou KRINE Sports Goods Co., Ltd., and the Asia Road Club jointly donated a batch of professional pickleball training equipment to the Wild Elephants Club, which has long been dedicated to youth sports development. The China Tennis Association provided strong support by dispatching professional coaches for on-site guidance, with multiple parties working together to promote the grassroots development of pickleball and benefit young people.
Rural youth from the Yunnan Wild Elephants Club received brand new pickleball equipment.
Sports are the foundation of youth growth, and charity is the force for social good. For years, the Yunnan Wild Elephants Club has been committed to building a sports platform for rural youth and grassroots students, helping more children chase their dreams and change their lives through sports. This charity initiative, centered on equipment donations and educational activities, goes beyond material support to deeply convey sportsmanship and philanthropic ideals.
The event was organized by the GPCC Greater Bay Area Pickleball City Challenge Organizing Committee and Quanzhou KRINE Sports Goods Co., Ltd., hosted by Guangzhou Atlantis Sports Co., Ltd., and supported by the Asia Road Club.
**Donation Ceremony: A Gift That Ignites Dreams**
During the ceremony, Zhuang Gangsong, Chairman of Quanzhou KRINE Sports Goods Co., Ltd., and Yu Xiaobo, Executive Director of the GPCC Organizing Committee and Chairman of the Asia Road Club, presented sports equipment to the Yunnan Wild Elephants Club. The high-quality rackets, training balls, and other professional gear will significantly improve the club’s training conditions and provide solid support for the daily practice of young athletes.
From left to right: Yu Xiaobo, Zhuang Gangsong, Zhang Xiaohong at the donation event.
Wang Fa, a player representative of the Wild Elephants Club known as “the basket boy,” expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support from all sectors of society. He said that this kindness not only strengthens training resources but also ignites the confidence of young athletes to persevere in sports and bravely pursue their dreams. “Before, we didn’t have enough equipment; sometimes we couldn’t replace broken rackets immediately. This time, we received so many new rackets and balls, all of high quality. Everyone really cherishes them. Thank you for your care. We will train hard and live up to this kindness.”
**On-Site Coaching: Professional Guidance Empowers Growth**
Coaches Lyu Xiaolong and Du Zhaokang from the China Tennis Association conducted charity teaching sessions, providing professional guidance to enhance training. The children learned proper grip techniques, striking motions, and footwork with enthusiasm, laughter filling the training ground.
Zhang Xiaohong, coach of the Wild Elephants Club, watched the excited faces of the children and commented, “This batch of equipment is very timely and precious. Many of our children are experiencing pickleball for the first time; before, they didn’t even have enough proper rackets. The donated equipment is not only sufficient but also of excellent quality. This is not just material help but also spiritual encouragement, letting them know that many people care about their growth.”
He added, “I hope more schools and social organizations recognize the value of pickleball. It doesn’t require large venues, the equipment is affordable, the rules are simple, and people of all ages can play. If more youth competitions and exchange activities are organized, children will be even more motivated. We are also willing to open our club to students from nearby schools to experience the sport and help promote it.”
**Voices from All Sides: Charity as Continuous Empowerment**
Yu Xiaobo, Executive Director of the GPCC Organizing Committee, noted that pickleball is rapidly becoming a new choice for people transitioning from traditional racket sports like tennis and badminton due to its low barrier, high fun factor, and strong social attributes. “Many tennis enthusiasts and retired athletes are turning to pickleball because it requires less movement and is gentler on joints while retaining the hitting feel and competitive enjoyment of tennis.” He emphasized that GPCC will continue to promote pickleball nationwide, especially through charity training for youth and grassroots clubs, making the sport accessible to everyone.
Yu Xiaobo specifically pointed out, “Charity is not a one-time delivery of materials but continuous empowerment. We are not only donating equipment but also offering technology, competitions, and platforms to help the Wild Elephants Club become a model for grassroots pickleball promotion.” According to him, GPCC adheres to a three-pronged promotion model of “competition + training + charity” and plans to establish 5 to 8 additional charity cooperation points in western and rural areas, promote the “pickleball into schools” project, and set up special scholarships to support talented but financially disadvantaged children.
Zhuang Gangsong, Chairman of Quanzhou KRINE Sports Goods Co., Ltd., expressed his hopes for the children: “Tennis has Li Na, basketball has Yao Ming, table tennis has Ma Long—all names that made China known globally. In the emerging field of pickleball, there is not yet a world-class legend from China. I sincerely hope that legend will be born in the Wild Elephants Club. I hope the children cherish every racket and every training session, not only improving technically but also daring to fight and move forward fearlessly, carving out their own path and bringing glory to Chinese pickleball. KRINE will always stand by you as your strongest supporter.”
**Cross-Disciplinary Support: The Warm Resonance of Music and Sports**
Notably, renowned Hong Kong musician and composer Lam Mok Tak traveled from Hong Kong to Yunnan to attend the event. He said, “I have always believed that sports and music are forces that transcend language and connect people. The story of the Wild Elephants Club touches me deeply, especially Wang Fa, ‘the basket boy,’ who shows me that children can persist in sports and chase their dreams under difficult conditions. I hope to capture this emotion in melody and perhaps create a charity theme song for pickleball or youth sports in the future.”
He revealed that he has discussed with GPCC and the Asia Road Club about incorporating musical elements into future pickleball events and charity activities, organizing summer camps combining music and sports to attract more children.
As a new sport with low barriers, high fun, and suitability for all ages, pickleball is becoming a new trend in national fitness, especially beneficial for youth physical and mental development. This event effectively promoted the popularity of pickleball among young people, creating a strong atmosphere of joyful sports and healthy growth.
*Reporting by Xu Xiaolei, N Video, Southern Metropolis Daily; Photography by Xie Jinyang, Li Heming*