Add pickleball to Mandaue City school sports, grassroots, Council asks

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu — Pickleball is being pushed for inclusion in school sports programs and grassroots sports development in Mandaue City through two resolutions the City Council passed during its session on Monday, July 13.

Both resolutions, served up by City Councilor Carlo Fortuna, seek to promote pickleball by encouraging the Department of Education (DepEd) to include it in the sports programs of schools in the city and requesting the Mandaue City Sports Commission to integrate it into the city’s sports development initiatives.

Fortuna said that the resolutions aim to support students and expand public access to facilities and opportunities for the fast-growing sport.

Pickleball in Mandaue City

Many warehouses, in cities like Mandaue, have been converted into pickleball courts as demand for open play and training sessions keeps rising.

Fortuna observed that pickleball has gained popularity among people of all ages, from children and young adults to senior citizens, because of its accessibility and health benefits.

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“It really promotes a very healthy lifestyle, sington ta (makes one sweat), makes us healthy,” said Fortuna.

Under the proposal, Fortuna said that the Mandaue City Sports Commission will identify public spaces that can serve as pickleball courts during designated hours.

Public, more affordable pickleball courts

These include the Mandaue City Sports Complex, portions of the City Hall grounds, barangay gymnasiums, covered courts, and other available open spaces.

He pointed out that while the city already has tennis courts, it has yet to establish dedicated public pickleball courts. Converting suitable government-owned facilities, he said, would allow more residents to participate in the sport without relying on private venues.

Fortuna said accessibility and affordability are among the primary goals of the proposal. He explained that public facilities, if opened for pickleball, may only require minimal fees for maintenance or electricity, similar to the city’s public tennis courts, making them significantly more affordable than private facilities.

Grassroots sports, too

He noted that private pickleball courts typically charge between ₱500 and ₱600 per hour, making regular play expensive for many residents.

The councilor said that making public facilities available would give everyone, regardless of economic status, the opportunity to learn and play the sport.

Beyond schools, Fortuna said he wants pickleball to become part of the city’s grassroots sports program, with the Sports Commission encouraged to organize barangay-level tournaments using city and barangay facilities.

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