Sino Group and Bay Pickle launch youth elite programme and China Pickleball Circuit in Hong Kong
Sino Group and Bay Pickle have expanded their partnership to launch a youth talent incubation initiative and bring the China Pickleball Circuit to Hong Kong for the first time. The collaboration includes the city's first indoor Bay Pickle Academy, over 1,000 hours of training for 20 junior players,
Sino Group and local pickleball operator Bay Pickle have expanded their partnership to promote elite athlete development and community participation, announcing the rollout of a youth talent incubation initiative alongside the local debut of the national China Pickleball Circuit. Unveiled at Olympian City on 6 November, the joint initiative focuses on professional coaching, competitive platforms, and elite pathway support to build a progression ladder for local players.
The collaboration will see the opening of the city's first Bay Pickle Academy at Sino Group's One SilverSea property, featuring two indoor competition-grade courts. The facility will offer structured courses led by seasoned local instructors and will regularly invite overseas and mainland professional coaches and athletes for specialised training sessions and clinics. The academy operates under the leadership of Major League Pickleball founder Steve Kuhn, who serves as chairman. Its coaching framework encompasses youth development, elite clinics, and masterclasses featuring international talent, including world number one ranked junior on the PPA Tour, Rex Thais.
To expand competitive opportunities, Bay Pickle has secured the rights to stage the China Pickleball Circuit in Hong Kong for the first time, with registration opening immediately. Founded in 2024, the nationwide circuit has expanded to more than 1,000 tournament stops across nearly 100 cities. The Hong Kong tournament will take place across four days on 6, 12, 19, and 20 December at the Fairview Park Country Club in Yuen Long. The event features four competition categories: individual ranking events at CPC-100 and CPC-300 levels alongside junior divisions J-30 and J-60 for athletes under 18. Each category will contest men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles.
Organisers also pledged over 1,000 hours of training resources and subsidised court access to nurture 20 selected junior players during the scheme's inaugural year. The Sino and Bay Pickle Future Elite Cultivation Programme will open applications to local players under 18, targeting 20 promising juniors in its first cohort. Candidates will undergo screening, interviews, and technical assessments to qualify for personalised training pathways. Successful applicants will receive weekly complimentary court time at the Bay Pickle Academy, systematic technical assessments, and priority enrolment in advanced coaching workshops. Standout performers will be considered for travel sponsorships to represent Hong Kong in mainland and overseas tournaments.
Sino Group Chief Commercial Officer Bella Chhoa said building a sport's long-term future requires not only broadening public participation but also establishing a sustainable progression ladder for rising athletes. She noted that Sino Group will continue utilising its property portfolio and community networks to host open play sessions and school activities, balancing community outreach with high-performance sports development.