Pickleball is a rapidly growing sport worldwide, but in Madagascar, it’s still an unknown game. However, thanks to the dedication of Hosea Randrianarivony, that is beginning to change.

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Hosea, a pastor originally from Madagascar, has taken it upon himself to introduce the sport to his home country. His journey is not just about sports—it’s about community, leadership, and providing opportunities for a nation eager to embrace something new.

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A Journey Rooted in Faith and Service

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Hosea’s journey to bringing pickleball to Madagascar began long before he even picked up a paddle. “I’m originally from Madagascar. So, that’s where I am from. I was born and raised there. About nine years ago is when I came to America mostly to get married because I’m a pastor,” he shared. His service extended beyond the church, as he and his wife worked with Mercy Ships, a hospital organization that provides free surgeries to underserved communities.

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Hosea’s work in Madagascar continued even after moving to the United States. He maintained his connection to his homeland by organizing annual pastor conferences. “For the past five years, we’ve been going to Madagascar every single year to do pastors’ conferences and teach pastors to be better leaders,” he said.

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Discovering Pickleball and Taking It Home

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It wasn’t until March 2023 that Hosea first discovered pickleball, but he quickly saw its potential for Madagascar. “Last year was the first time that I thought, why don’t I bring pickleball to Madagascar?” he recalled. So, he did just that. With the support of his church and community, he gathered nets, paddles, and balls to take back home. “Mostly, I’ve been given nets and paddles and balls to bring to Madagascar,” he explained. “right now in my studio, I possibly have up to 30 paddles.”

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His goal is to not only introduce the sport but also organize structured leagues and tournaments. “This year, I’m trying to bring medals and do a small league and a small tournament. I’m looking for 36 people for this year because I don’t have a lot of time in Madagascar. I’ll have six weeks, but during those six weeks, that’s what I’m aiming for,” he said.

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The Challenge and the Opportunity

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One of the biggest obstacles to growing pickleball in Madagascar is the lack of resources. “I’m not sure if Madagascar is the poorest country in the world right now, but it is at least in the top five poorest countries in the world,” Hosea pointed out. “So I just tell them that Madagascar has been behind in most things, and there is this one opportunity in sports.”

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For Hosea, pickleball isn’t just a game—it’s an avenue for growth and development. “The people are so talented and smart, so I was like, there’s this opportunity that could help us to be equal or possibly be better at something with the world.”

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Another challenge is the infrastructure. Madagascar lacks dedicated pickleball courts, so Hosea has had to get creative. “Even at my church, we’ve been using painter’s tape for the lines. We went on a tennis court, which we do here in Arlington, and then we put the tapes on. That’s what I will be doing for now.” But he remains optimistic, believing that as interest grows, solutions will arise. “Madagascan people are very creative. They will be able to make something to be used as a net in Madagascar.”

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Building a Pickleball Community in Madagascar

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Hosea’s work in Madagascar extends beyond just sports. He is heavily involved in mentoring young people, particularly college students, through a group he helped create called It’s Time for Madagascar. “One of the things It’s Time for Madagascar does is just take the initiative to do something,” he explained. The group has engaged in community service projects such as teaching languages, cleaning beaches, and even visiting prisons. Now, it’s also pioneering the introduction of pickleball to the island.

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For Hosea, the key to pickleball’s success in Madagascar will be education and accessibility. “We may think getting a phone like this is easy”, he says pointing at his phone, “but it costs a fortune in Madagascar. Most people pay the exact same price as Americans pay, but it’s a year of salary for most people in Madagascar.” This makes organizing a structured league with digital tracking a challenge. His plan? Have organizers manually keep track of scores and ratings to ensure fair competition with DUPR.

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Looking to the Future

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Despite the challenges, Hosea remains hopeful and committed to growing the sport in Madagascar. “I started learning pickleball and I went mostly from zero to a hundred. I was not really interested in pickleball—I just wanted to be able to help the people that really love playing,” he said. But what started as a way to serve others has turned into a passion of its own.

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As he prepares for his upcoming trip, Hosea envisions a bright future for pickleball in Madagascar. With ongoing support from his church, the pickleball community, and donors, Hosea believes Madagascar can become a stronghold for the sport. “I believe once people see it and get used to the game, it’s going to be awesome, and during these upcoming 6 weeks, I will be able to grow it.”

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Through faith, perseverance, and a deep love for his home country, Hosea Randrianarivony is not just introducing a sport to Madagascar—he’s creating a movement. A movement of inclusivity, opportunity, and hope, one paddle at a time.

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