San Diego’s Anywhere Pickleball has teamed up with the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation (UPF) to launch the Freedom Fighter Paddle, a pickleball paddle approved by USA Pickleball for competitive play. This partnership aims to bolster the pickleball community in Ukraine. The paddle’s design is a tribute to Ukraine, featuring the nation’s blue and yellow flag colors, the Leleka (white stork), the Tryzub (trident emblem), and a line from the renowned Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, which translates to “Fight and you shall overcome.” The artistic elements were crafted by Ukrainian artists Dasha Volkova and Andrii Voloshyn, who are currently residing in the Netherlands.
Since June 2025, Anywhere Pickleball has been the UPF’s first American strategic partner, supporting Ukrainian pickleball initiatives. This collaboration was evident during the First Ukrainian Veterans Pickleball Championship in Kyiv from March 31 to April 5, 2026. The competition gathered 104 combat veterans representing 20 regions of Ukraine. The Freedom Fighter Paddle was not only the official paddle for the championship but was also awarded to the Fantastic Team, two combat amputees from the Sumy region who secured a bronze medal.
The founder of Anywhere Pickleball, Angus Wong, emphasized that the partnership underscores the belief that sports can provide meaningful support to communities impacted by conflict. To further their support, the Freedom Fighter Paddle is sold under a “Gift 1, Get 1” model, whereby each paddle purchased results in an identical paddle being donated to a Ukrainian pickleball player via the UPF. This initiative extends to corporate clients purchasing paddles in bulk for purposes such as employee gifts or corporate social responsibility programs, ensuring the matching donations continue through the same channel.
Volodymyr Svirskii, the President of the UPF, remarked that this initiative has the potential to spur the growth of pickleball in Ukraine, encouraging both participation and achievement among local players. Additionally, Anna Glotova, the UPF’s co-founder and Director of Strategic Partnerships, highlighted the role of sports in providing avenues for connection and recovery for those living with life-altering injuries.
For those interested, the Freedom Fighter Paddle is available online, with corporate inquiries directed to [email protected]. This initiative not only supports Ukrainian athletes but also promotes a spirit of resilience and solidarity through sport.
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