Pickleball’s Global Stage Comes to India: Arvind Prabhoo, President of the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), expressed that it is a significant honor for India to host the prestigious World Pickleball Championship. This marks the first time the event will be held in the country, a momentous achievement as pickleball rapidly gains popularity worldwide. The World Pickleball Championship Series is scheduled to take place from November 12-17 in Mumbai, followed by the World Pickleball League in January.
An honor for India to host the World Pickleball Championship, which we are holding in the month of November, from the 12th of November to the 17th of November. Following that, in January, we’ll be having the World Pickleball League in India. Both these events are very prestigious events and we are lucky that the All India Pickleball Association is part of these events we are hosting also pickleball as you all know is the fastest-growing game and it is indeed a great honor for India,”- ARVIND Prabhoo
Recognition for 15 Years of Grassroots Efforts
The AIPA has been committed to promoting pickleball at the grassroots level in India over the last 15 years. This commitment, Prabhoo emphasized, has led to the recognition of India as a host for this global event.
“It is a great feeling for all of us at the All India Pickleball Association. We have been working tirelessly for the last 15 years to promote pickleball at the grassroots level. It now seems that our work is coming to some kind of recognition by all the pickleball players in the country and also in the world because then we were given the opportunity to host the World Pickleball Championship,” – ARVIND PRABHOO
The upcoming event is expected to draw top pickleball talent from around the world, following successful tournaments in Vietnam and Bali. The Indian teams performed exceptionally well in these competitions, bringing home gold, silver, and bronze medals.
Global Participation and Growth in India
The World Pickleball Championship Series in India will feature approximately 650 players from countries such as Australia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Poland, and Singapore. The event highlights the global nature of pickleball, a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis and has rapidly grown in popularity worldwide. In India, enthusiasm for the sport is on the rise, with a growing number of players embracing it.
AIPA’s Vision for Pickleball in India
The AIPA’s goal is to increase pickleball’s popularity and foster talent development throughout the country. Under the leadership of Arvind Ramesh Prabhoo, AIPA is engaging in various initiatives, including identifying promising players and offering them training in technical skills, fitness, nutrition, and mental conditioning. AIPA, founded by Sunil Valavalkar in 2007, operates as a non-profit and has held an official affiliation with the International Pickleball Federation since 2015. Efforts are also underway to gain official recognition from the Government of India and the Sports Authority of India, ensuring the sport’s sustained growth across the nation.
News in Brief: Pickleball’s Global Stage Comes to India
India is set to host the World Pickleball Championship for the first time, a major event organized by the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA). From November 12-17, the championship will welcome around 650 players from countries like Australia and Vietnam. AIPA President Arvind Prabhoo sees this as recognition for 15 years of grassroots efforts to promote pickleball in India. The event follows India’s success in recent tournaments in Vietnam and Bali, where Indian players secured multiple medals. AIPA’s continued goal is to grow pickleball nationwide, preparing players through specialized training programs.