India’s Pickleball Future: Pickleball, a rapidly growing sport worldwide, holds significant financial and social potential in India. While private investors can profit by renting courts, the government also plays a crucial role in expanding pickleball infrastructure. With the right investments, pickleball could become a major part of India’s sporting landscape.
Financial Viability of Pickleball Court Rentals
Private investors in India can generate steady income by renting out pickleball courts in various facilities, including stadiums, clubs, and schools. The cost of building a pickleball court can vary significantly.
Aditya Khanna, co-founder of the Pickleball World Rankings (PWR), estimates that constructing a new court from scratch could cost between ₹4 lakh and ₹5 lakh. This higher cost includes essential groundwork like asphalting and fencing.
However, converting an existing tennis or multi-sport court into a pickleball court is much cheaper. The conversion cost typically ranges from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000 per court. A four-court facility on an existing tennis court could cost between ₹2 lakh to ₹3 lakh, making it a more affordable investment option.
Revenue Potential
The potential revenue from pickleball courts is significant. Khanna provides an example, estimating that a single court, booked for 5-6 hours daily at ₹600 per hour, can generate between ₹90,000 and ₹1.08 lakh per month.
For a four-court facility, the monthly revenue could range from ₹3.6 lakh to ₹4.32 lakh. This means the investment in court construction can be quickly recovered, making it a profitable business opportunity.
Khanna also emphasized the durability of the courts, stating that they should last at least four to five years without needing significant repairs. This makes pickleball court construction a sustainable and profitable venture for private investors and government bodies.
Expert Opinions on Court Construction Costs
Yash Jain, the owner of Dink Pickleball in Surat, shares similar views on court construction costs. Jain, who has experience in building high-quality pickleball courts, notes that the condition of existing tennis courts significantly affects the cost.
He explains that older tennis courts may require additional work, like redoing the layers, which increases the cost of conversion. However, newer courts require less work and are more affordable to convert into pickleball courts.
Government’s Role in Expanding Infrastructure
Khanna also discussed the important role the government can play in the growth of pickleball infrastructure. He believes that governments can create a self-sustaining model by charging nominal fees for court usage.
This would make the courts affordable and accessible while still allowing for profitability. Public courts in parks, schools, and community centers would provide more opportunities for people to play and foster the sport’s growth.
For example, Kolkata recently opened its first public pickleball court in a park, with support from the state government and the local councillor. This move is expected to encourage more people to try the sport and help grow the community.
Path Forward for India’s Pickleball Growth
India, despite having a large and growing pickleball community, still lacks sufficient infrastructure to support the sport’s rapid growth. With nearly 500 courts in Gujarat and over 2,000 courts across the country, the potential for pickleball in India is huge.
However, the lack of dedicated courts, government programs, and school involvement hinders the sport’s full development.
If India can match the enthusiasm for pickleball that it has for sports like cricket and badminton, the sport could soon see widespread adoption. With the right investments and government support, pickleball could become the next big sport in India.
News in Brief: India’s Pickleball Future
Pickleball has significant financial potential in India, with private investors able to earn steady income from court rentals. The government’s role in building public facilities and supporting infrastructure development is crucial for the sport’s growth. With proper investment, pickleball could become a major part of India’s sports culture.
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