Singapore and China deepen Pickleball relationship with Eminence Cup

16-17 August 2024 - Three teams from Singapore travelled to Foshan, China to play in the inaugural Eminence Cup that featured teams from Hongkong, Macau and China.

Continuing from where the teams left off last year, Pickleball relationships between both countries have never been closer with 11 teams battling it out for the first ever Eminence Cup organised by PCP Asia and supported by the Chinese government represented by the Guangzhou Pickleball Association as well as the Guangzhou Sports Ministry. The governing body for this tournament, newly formed WPUF (World Pickleball Unity Federation) was also involved and is the first world federation with Chinese officials, catered towards growing the sport for Olympic adoption.

The mandarin name 华夏杯 which means the homecoming for all Chinese players is one of the highest naming conventions given to a tournament and cannot be loosely used without proper clearance, once again demonstrating the close ties between PCP and the Chinese authorities in Guangzhou.

On the 16th, players played out to exciting individual events with multiple Singapore teams clinching podium finishes, notably with Kok Yoke Kheng and Johnny Choo winning the mixed doubles title while Christopher Pong and Darryl Lee emerged as the men’s doubles champions while Tan Guat Xia and Ng Lay Hwa completed the triple for Singapore with the women’s title. In the team event on the 17th, the SG Pioneer team clinched the gold medal and Eminence Cup challenge trophy.

The Eminence Cup was created to celebrate the contribution to the sport of Pickleball by the existing 50+ year old players and to thank them for their consistency and commitment to the sport that has allowed the game to grow to the phenomenon it is today.

“We created the Eminence series to always remember the contributions of the older generation, to keep them included in competitions and to ensure that they have an excellent player experience. Importantly, by having international teams, our goal is to use Pickleball as a platform to bring different cultures together through this wonderful sport. As Singaporeans, we are always looking out to bridge gaps and to bring people closer together because of our unique position in the world.” - James Yong, co-founder, PCP Asia

With the Eminence series growing across Asia, it serves as a platform to bring 50+ athletes closer together in the spirit of competition via Pickleball.

“It has been my honor and privilege to be able to coach some of these 50+ players here in China and for some of them to achieve a podium finish really makes me very happy and contented as a coach and friend to them in a place that they have welcomed me as a second home. I would like to thank the Guangzhou Pickleball Association and Sports Ministry for putting their faith in me and we will continue to work hard to bring Pickleball in China forward” - Darren Ho, Head Coach and co-founder of PCP and consultant to Guangzhou Pickleball Association

The Chinese players performed well overall and especially in the Women’s Doubles event, clinching 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed finishes behind a very seasoned Singapore pairing. It was however the cross-cultural exchange and bonds that were developed throughout the tournament that was on display for all to see in true spirit of the Eminence Cup.

“Huaxia Cup aims to promote the exchange and unity between Asian Chinese and Guangzhou Pickleball, and was founded in recognition of 50+ pioneers with outstanding contributions to comfort predecessors and inspire newcomers! Two days of competition, whether win or lose, the important thing is that we participate in the process, our ethos of hard work, our unity and the spirit of working together. Through the 华夏杯 we enhance understanding and friendship between each other to cultivate the spirit of unity and cooperation and to enhance the sense of team honor. Let us meet again at the next 华夏杯 and to continue to contribute to the success of this event. Now that Pickleball has chosen us, we can play Pickleball and let 华夏杯 do the promotion for us!” - Wang Qingming, Executive Director of WPUF, Chairman, Guangzhou Pickleball Association

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