Why Bengaluru is Hooked on Pickleball: Pickleball, blending tennis, badminton, and table tennis, is fast becoming a weekend staple for Bengaluru’s sports enthusiasts. With its smaller court, paddles, and perforated ball, the sport appeals to all ages and skill levels, offering a mix of simplicity and fun. Originally invented in 1965 as a backyard game for kids in Washington state, pickleball became the state’s official sport in 2022. Its versatility, playable both indoors and outdoors, has contributed to its rapid global growth.
Bengaluru’s Thriving Pickleball Culture
The city has embraced pickleball with open arms. GoRally, a leading operator, has established four centers with 15 dedicated courts and plans to expand further. Founder Abhinav Shankar highlighted Bengaluru’s unique racquet-sport culture and active, tech-savvy population as key factors for the sport’s growth.
“Around 5,000 people have played on our courts, and our WhatsApp community boasts over 2,000 members”-(Abhinav Shankar)
GoRally recently hosted the BLR Masters tournament, featuring over 600 matches and 400 participants.
A Fitness Game-Changer
Players like Vinod Jacob of Namma Bengaluru Foundation are already reaping the sport’s benefits.
“I’ve been playing for three months, and it has significantly boosted my fitness,” Jacob said. “The simplicity and social aspect make it incredibly fun, and its popularity is growing rapidly across India.”-(Vinod Jacob)
The Road Ahead
Despite the sport’s meteoric rise, the infrastructure is still catching up.
“Bengaluru is still early in scaling up its supply of courts compared to demand,”-(Sam Sancheti)
another GoRally founder. He cited Ahmedabad’s 200+ courts as an example of the potential growth. With its affordability, scalability, and inclusivity, pickleball is poised for exponential growth in Bengaluru and beyond.
News in Brief: Why Bengaluru is Hooked on Pickleball
Pickleball, a sport blending elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, is rapidly gaining traction in Bengaluru. With four centers and 15 pickleball courts, GoRally is leading the charge. Events like the BLR Masters and a growing community highlight the sport’s appeal to the city’s active demographic. Despite its growth, Bengaluru faces challenges in meeting the rising demand for courts, a gap operators aim to bridge.
Readers Queries:
1. Is pickleball big in India?
A non-contact racket game that combines elements of tennis, table tennis and badminton, pickleball is a recreational sport with health benefits. Though it was originally invented in the US in 1965, the sport has grown immensely in India, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Who is the best pickleball player in India?
Armaan Bhatia, India’s one of the top Pickleball players, is looking forward to the PWR DUPR India Masters 2024!
ALSO READ: Bengaluru Gears Up for BLR Masters 2024 as Pickleball’s Popularity Soars in India
