San Diego-based Anywhere Pickleball has joined forces with the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation (UPF) to launch the Freedom Fighter Paddle, a USA Pickleball-approved paddle designed for competitive play. This initiative not only introduces a new product but also provides support to pickleball players in Ukraine. The paddle’s design embraces the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag and incorporates symbolic national emblems: the Leleka, or white stork, and the Tryzub, Ukraine’s trident symbol. A line from Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, translated as “Fight and you shall overcome,” is also featured. This design was crafted by Ukrainian artists Dasha Volkova and Andrii Voloshyn, who are currently based in the Netherlands.
Since June 2025, Anywhere Pickleball has been the UPF’s first American strategic partner, contributing to the development of pickleball in Ukraine. Their collaboration has extended to supporting Ukrainian pickleball events, such as the First Ukrainian Veterans Pickleball Championship held in Kyiv from March 31 to April 5, 2026, which saw participation from 104 combat veterans across 20 Ukrainian regions. The Freedom Fighter Paddle was the official paddle used in the championship and was awarded to the Fantastic Team recipients, two combat amputees from the Sumy region who secured a bronze medal.
Angus Wong, founder of Anywhere Pickleball, highlighted that the partnership embodies the company’s belief in the power of sports to support communities impacted by war. The paddle employs a “Gift 1, Get 1” model, ensuring that for every paddle purchased, an identical one is donated to a Ukrainian pickleball player through the UPF. This model is also available to corporate customers who buy paddles in bulk for employee gifts, client recognition, or corporate social responsibility programs, with matching paddles distributed to Ukrainian players accordingly.
Volodymyr Svirskii, President of the UPF, expressed optimism that this initiative could foster the growth of pickleball in Ukraine, promoting participation and achievement among players. Meanwhile, UPF co-founder and Director of Strategic Partnerships Anna Glotova emphasized that sports can offer avenues for connection and healing for individuals living with life-changing injuries.
The Freedom Fighter Paddle can be purchased through the official website, and corporate inquiries can be directed to Anywhere Pickleball via email. This innovative program not only aids the sport’s development in Ukraine but also stands as a symbol of resilience and hope for the community.
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