Liberia to Debut at 2025 Confederation of Africa Pickleball Championship

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ADNews-Monrovia,Liberia:  Liberia will make its first appearance at the Confederation of Africa Pickleball Championship as two athletes and a coach head to Accra, Ghana, for the 2025 tournament scheduled for Nov. 27–30. The event marks a major milestone for the country, which only recently adopted the fast-growing global sport.

By Sylvester Tamba

The delegation includes athletes Emmanuel Chayee and Perry Johnson, along with national team coach Norris Ben.

The team is expected to depart Liberia on Nov. 24 to complete final preparations ahead of the championship.

Pickleball — a paddle sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis — is played on a badminton-sized court with a slightly lower net. Competitors use solid paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball over the net, aiming to keep opponents from making a legal return.

The sport was introduced in Liberia in 2024. The country held its first national selection competition in 2025 to identify athletes qualified to represent Liberia internationally.

Local sports authorities say the addition of pickleball to national sporting programs is part of a broader initiative to engage children and youth in productive activities. Officials believe offering more athletic opportunities can reduce young people’s exposure to harmful substances and help guide them toward positive personal development.

Liberia’s debut at the 2025 championship highlights the nation’s growing interest in nontraditional sports and marks a significant step toward formalizing pickleball as a national discipline.

The appearance of Team Liberia on the continental stage is expected to spark greater enthusiasm and investment in the sport at home.