[Video by Shanghai Media Group]

A unique pickleball friendship match took place in Shanghai on April 13. Students from Montgomery County, Maryland, the United States, teamed up with their Chinese counterparts, overcoming language barriers to forge deep mutual understanding and trust through their shared efforts on the court.

The opening ceremony set a friendly tone as the Chinese and US student teams exchanged souvenirs as tokens of friendship and mutual anticipation. Jeffrey Sullivan, director of Systemwide Athletics for Montgomery County Public Schools, highlighted in his speech that the American students had thoroughly prepared for this trip to China. They trained in pickleball, learned Chinese, and even practiced the Chinese song Jasmine Flower.

The fast-paced and interactive nature of the pickleball match quickly created an electric atmosphere, with students swinging their paddles with vigor and planting seeds of friendship with each rally and exchange. Following the match, students came together to talk about their training experiences and share personal stories. Some American students described the exchange as life-changing, highlighting the warmth and friendliness of the Chinese people. They said they wanted to invite the Chinese students to visit their schools in the future.

The pickleball friendship match was one of the first events of the "U.S. Youth Pickleball Cultural Exchange Tour in China". During their stay in Shanghai, they have already enjoyed rich cultural experiences at iconic locations such as Yuyuan Garden and the Bund. They also explored traditional crafts, such as kite-making and creating ornamental knotted buttons for qipao (cheongsam dresses).

Sources: Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, Shanghai Magnolia Foundation, Shanghai Observer