A bird’s-eye view captures the First Ukrainian Veterans Pickleball Championship held in Kyiv during April 2026, featuring multiple regulation courts packed with over 100 combat veterans hailing from 20 different regions of Ukraine, an event coordinated by the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation
Sitting on an outdoor pickleball court are two Freedom Fighter Paddles from Anywhere Pickleball: the UPF co-branded version (featuring a yellow edge guard and blue grip) alongside the standard U.S. edition (sporting a red edge guard and gray grip). Both are built with 1700 raw carbon fiber construction, t
Designated as the official paddle for Ukraine’s inaugural veterans pickleball championship. Purchase one, and another is sent to a Ukrainian player.
We’ve served as UPF’s first American partner since June 2025. We fully understand how precious and at risk freedom truly is.”— Angus Wong, Founder, Anywhere PickleballSAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES, August 1, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — August 1, 2026. Anywhere Pickleball, a pickleball company based in San Diego, has introduced the Freedom Fighter Paddle through a partnership with the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation (UPF), the recognized governing authority for pickleball in Ukraine and the 60th member of the Global Pickleball Federation.
This paddle displays the hues of the Ukrainian flag alongside two national icons: the Leleka (white stork, a Ukrainian symbol of hope and returning home) paired with the Tryzub (Ukraine’s golden trident). The paddle’s face features a verse from national poet Taras Shevchenko: "Boritesya – poborete!" (Fight and you shall overcome). Ukrainian artists Dasha Volkova and Andrii Voloshyn, who are based in the Netherlands, crafted the design.
USA Pickleball has approved this paddle, which is engineered for competitive-level play.
Since June 2025, Anywhere Pickleball has served as the UPF’s first American strategic partner. In that capacity, the company co-sponsored the First Ukrainian Veterans Pickleball Championship, which ran from March 31 to April 5, 2026, in Kyiv. One hundred four combat veterans from 20 regions took part. The Freedom Fighter Paddle served as the championship’s official paddle and was awarded as a special prize to the tournament’s Fantastic Team recipients—two combat amputees from the Sumy region who earned bronze together.
"We’ve been UPF’s first American partner since June 2025," said Angus Wong, founder of Anywhere Pickleball. "We know how valuable and vulnerable freedom is."
Each purchase of the Freedom Fighter Paddle follows a Gift 1, Get 1 framework. Buyers receive one paddle. An identical paddle is then shipped to a player in Ukraine via the UPF. Corporate customers can acquire paddles in bulk for team gifts, client appreciation, or CSR initiatives, with matching contributions sent to Ukrainian players using the same system.
"This is a vital step for the development of pickleball in Ukraine," said Volodymyr Svirskii, president of the UPF. "It inspires, unites, and gives faith in one’s own achievements."
"Pickleball is one of many ways to support those who have sustained life-altering injuries on their path to a dignified, full life," said Anna Glotova, UPF co-founder and Director of Strategic Partnerships. "Together, we believe in the power of sport to inspire, heal, and connect people across borders."
The Freedom Fighter Paddle is available at freedomfighterpaddle.com. Corporate inquiries: info@anywherepickleball.com.
About Anywhere Pickleball: Anywhere Pickleball is a San Diego-based pickleball company and the official strategic partner of the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation. anywherepickleball.com | freedomfighterpaddle.com
About the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation (UPF): The UPF is the 60th member of the Global Pickleball Federation, founded in 2024. pickleballukraine.net
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Simone Corbett
Anywhere Pickleball
info@anywherepickleball.com
