San Diego-based Anywhere Pickleball has forged a partnership with the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation (UPF) to launch the Freedom Fighter Paddle. This USA Pickleball-approved paddle is designed for competitive play, featuring the blue and yellow hues of the Ukrainian flag, along with the Leleka and Tryzub, which are national symbols of Ukraine. A line from the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, translated as “Fight and you shall overcome,” is also part of the design, which was crafted by Ukrainian artists Dasha Volkova and Andrii Voloshyn, currently residing in the Netherlands.
The collaboration with the UPF marks Anywhere Pickleball’s role as the federation’s first American strategic partner since June 2025. This partnership has supported various Ukrainian pickleball events, notably the First Ukrainian Veterans Pickleball Championship held in Kyiv from March 31 to April 5, 2026. The tournament gathered 104 combat veterans from 20 regions across Ukraine, using the Freedom Fighter Paddle as the official paddle of the championship. The paddle was also awarded to the tournament’s Fantastic Team recipients, two combat amputees from the Sumy region who secured a bronze medal together.
Angus Wong, the founder of Anywhere Pickleball, expressed that the partnership is a reflection of the company’s belief in the power of sports to support communities impacted by conflict. The initiative includes a matching paddle donation program where for every Freedom Fighter Paddle purchased, an identical paddle is donated to a pickleball player in Ukraine through the UPF. This “Gift 1, Get 1” model is also extended to corporate customers purchasing paddles for employee gifts, client recognition, or corporate social responsibility efforts, with matching paddles distributed to Ukrainian players.
Volodymyr Svirskii, President of the UPF, highlighted that the initiative could play a significant role in fostering the growth of pickleball in Ukraine while encouraging participation and success among its players. UPF co-founder and Director of Strategic Partnerships, Anna Glotova, added that sports offer avenues for connection and recovery, particularly for those dealing with life-altering injuries. The Freedom Fighter Paddle is accessible through their website, and corporate inquiries can be directed via email.
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