Pickleball fever hits Guyana as national launch targets youth development

Pickleball, billed as one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, officially arrived in Guyana following a national launch event on Saturday in Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

This marks its introduction into the country’s youth sports curriculum.

The popular paddle sport—a hybrid of tennis, badminton, and table tennis—was formally launched at the Leonora Masjid, with a focus on quickly integrating it into the school system.

The initiative was spearheaded by Rayman Hamid, a Canadian-based Guyanese who provided the first set of equipment. The launch received strong backing from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Minister of Education, Sonia Parag, thanked Hamid for his “foresight and generosity,” noting that the introduction of the game “creates new avenues for recreation and fitness” and is a “fun addition to ‘PE Fridays’.”

Minister Parag stressed the broader impact the sport will have on students.

“Those of you who are playing pickleball here today have no idea that you are actually contributing to the national sports agenda and to the government’s vision for education,” she told attendees.

She emphasised that the effort is part of nurturing well-rounded individuals. “Education is not just academics, it’s not just sitting in a classroom… we want you to develop skills outside of the classroom.”

Over 70 secondary schools in Guyana already offer at least one sport as part of this drive.

Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, echoed the sentiment, encouraging participants to “embrace the opportunity” to learn the game and engage in friendly competitions.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Shannielle Hoosein-Outar, and the Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain, were also present for the milestone launch.