Montgomery County Public Schools pickleball players will return to China next month as part of a Pickleball Diplomacy Initiative.
MCPS will host a delegation from Shanghai from Feb. 5–7, followed by an MCPS delegation visit to China from Feb. 13–24.
The return trip to China will include educational, athletic, and cultural exchanges in four cities: Shenzhen, Shangyou, Hebi and Beijing. The MCPS delegation of 45 ambassadors will include 31 new students, seven returning student ambassadors, and seven adults.
“We are incredibly excited to continue Pickleball Diplomacy in 2026 and to provide our student ambassadors with truly life-changing experiences,” said Dr. Jeffrey Sullivan, Pickleball Diplomacy leader and MCPS director of systemwide athletics. “This initiative is about much more than sports. It is about building friendships, fostering understanding, and connecting young people one relationship, one rally at a time.”
Pickleball Diplomacy builds on the program’s successful inaugural year. MCPS led its first delegation to China in April 2025, launching the initiative through shared pickleball activities, school visits and cultural dialogue. That exchange was followed by MCPS hosting students and teachers from Shenzhen in Aug. 2025.
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