Pickleball has taken the world by storm in recent years, and this craze has swept through the Force too! At the heart of this whirlwind is Sergeant Li Man-fai. Not only is he a founding member and coach of the Police Pickleball Club, but he was also honored with the “Outstanding Coach” award by the Pickleball Association of Hong Kong, China. This award is highly prestigious - only a few dedicated coaches who have made exceptional contributions to promoting the sport receive this honour every year.

Drawing the lines:The passionate beginning of a founding pioneer

Speaking of his bond with pickleball, Li said it all comes down to his guts to try new things. A few years ago, when he was still an instructor at the Junior Police Call (JPC) Pat Heung Centre, he discovered this emerging sport while looking to spice up the activities for the youngsters.

“Back then, we just used adhesive tape to draw our own lines on a badminton court, set everything up ourselves, and learned as we played!”

Who would have thought that a pickleball novice would end up becoming the driving force behind the club. From a
self-taught amateur to an “Outstanding Coach” and a founding member of the Police Pickleball Club, Li has been taking this sport to the Force step by step - all driven by his passion.

The ultimate icebreaker: Getting SPC and JPC members to smash together

“A paddle and a ball bring not only the passion of sports, but also a connection between the Force and the public.” What Li enjoys the most is bringing this sport into the community. Pickleball is easy to pick up, making it the perfect tool to connect different generations - a sport that everyone can enjoy, young and old alike.

He frequently teaches classes for JPC and Senior Police Call (SPC) members in recent years. From energetic youths to seniors, everyone gets captivated by the sport. His proudest achievement is teaching an 80-year-old senior how to play.

He recalled, “At first, the seniors were pretty hesitant, worried they would be too slow or miss the ball. But this sport is so accessible. Once they managed to hit the ball over the net or land a good smash, the bright smiles on their faces were just as big as those of JPC members. I felt incredibly fulfilled at that moment.” This “one swing, one smile” moment perfectly shows that the Force isn’t just about law and order - it’s also about passion, care and reaching out to the community.

Making its way into the IFG - A new bridge connecting with Chinese Mainland and the world

This pickleball craze has even connected the Force with its overseas counterparts. In the recent “Hong Kong Police Force - Singapore Police Force - Macao Judiciary Police Inter-Forces Games (IFG) 2026”, pickleball became one of the highlights of the event.

Serving as the match referee, Li could not hide his pride, “Seeing the sport I have worked so hard to promote now become a bridge for exchanges among colleagues from the three regions, the sense of satisfaction is beyond words. Everyone fought hard and cheered for every single shot. This cross-cultural sportsmanship enhanced our mutual understanding and friendship in a short moment.”

“A lightweight paddle may seem insignificant, but with heart, passion and the willingness to go the extra mile for the community, what it can achieve is absolutely beyond imagination!” Li shared while holding his paddle high.

Looking ahead, he hopes to continue promoting the “craze” and “passion” for pickleball, demonstrating the approachability and professionalism of the Force.