Nkosilathi Sibanda nkosilathi.sibanda@chronicle.co.zw JAMES Thompson and Julianne Strydom emerged as the standout performers after claiming the men’s and women’s singles titles respectively at the 2026 Zimbabwe Pickleball Association (ZPA)…
Nkosilathi Sibanda [email protected]
JAMES Thompson and Julianne Strydom emerged as the standout performers after claiming the men’s and women’s singles titles respectively at the 2026 Zimbabwe Pickleball Association (ZPA) Community Shield tournament held at Hornung Park in Bulawayo over the weekend.
The competition attracted more than 30 athletes across various age groups, some coming from Kwekwe, with organisers describing the event as highly competitive and a significant step in the growth of pickleball in the country.
ZPA president Mthandazo Ngwenya expressed gratitude to the participating athletes, members of the local community and sponsors for supporting the event.
“Let’s unite and be one pickleball family one swing at a time,” he said.
The competition, according to Ngwenya, received backing from the Bulawayo city council, businesses and individuals.
He said the visiting team from Kwekwe provided stiff competition and tested the endurance of the local players.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Bulawayo city council, John Mpofu hailed the partnership between the local authority and the Zimbabwe Pickleball Association, which made the tournament possible.
“This historic event is the direct result of a highly successful and dynamic partnership between the City of Bulawayo and the Zimbabwe Pickleball Association,” Mpofu said.
He said the partnership was aimed at making sport more accessible and empowering communities.
“Together, we share a unified vision, to make sport accessible, community-driven, and empowering. Through this collaboration, we are successfully integrating pickleball into the city council youth centres, providing safe and engaging environments for our next generation”.
“The matches were so fiercely contested that the tournament extended well into the evening, with athletes battling for coveted titles under the floodlights,” said Ngwenya.
“The ZPA is proud of the true community nature exhibited in the event, highlighted by the diverse age groups represented on the courts. The Association continues to encourage the public to take up pickleball and invites individuals to join the ZPA to help grow the sport.”
ZPA director of Development Mr Collen Nyoni said they were proud of how the sport was growing in the country.
“The level of player development has greatly improved as shown by the players’ competitiveness, game management and technical abilities of both young and old athletes.
“Great sportsmanship was exuded from all participants. This inspires our pursuit to see the prickleball sport gaining traction across Zimbabwe,” said Nyoni.
Following the success of the Bulawayo event, Ngwenya said the ZPA Community Shield tour will soon make stops in Harare, Kwekwe, Mutare and Victoria Falls as the association continues its drive to expand the sport across the country.
Tournament Results
Men’s Singles:
Gold – James Thompson
Silver – Zaakir Ramjee
Bronze – Andrew Thompson
Women’s Singles:
Gold – Julianne Strydom
Silver – Thana Volkwin
Bronze – Tiya Desai
Men’s Doubles:
Gold – Andrew Thompson, James Thompson
Silver – Abraar Miya, Zaakir Ramjee
Bronze – Salim Ramjee,Tahir Esat
Women’s Doubles:
Gold – Julianne Strydom, Amanda Rundle
Silver – Loretta Reynolds, Chantel Duckworth
Bronze – Thana Volkwin, Belinda Wilson
Mixed Doubles:
Gold – Imraan Miya,Humayra Miya
Silver – Belinda Wilson, Kevin Wilson
Bronze – Riya Bhika, Devan Bhika.
