PWR DUPR India League Launches: Tennis legend Andre Agassi helped kick off the PWR DUPR India League at a grand event in Mumbai on December 13. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya celebrated the launch and praised the initiative for promoting pickleball in India.
Agassi Speaks About Pickleball’s Rise in India
At the event, Agassi shared his journey into the fast-growing sport of pickleball and discussed its growing popularity. “Pickleball is the fastest-growing racket sport in the world,” he said, explaining how the sport is capturing the attention of people across the globe. Agassi expressed his excitement about the launch of the India League, which aims to put India on the map of international pickleball.
Minister Mandaviya’s Message of Support
Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya recorded a special message for the event, expressing his support for pickleball in India.
“It is a great pleasure to join you today for the launch of the PWR DUPR India League. As the world’s fastest-growing racket sport, pickleball is gaining immense popularity in India, and this league is a significant step forward in promoting the sport both here and globally. I would like to especially congratulate Shri Vineet Jain, MD, The Times Group for this wonderful initiative.” – (Mansukh Mandaviya)
He also congratulated Vineet Jain, MD of The Times Group, for his efforts to promote emerging sports in India, including pickleball. Mandaviya emphasized the importance of youth development through sports.
“His role in promoting sports like Pickleball & Padel ball in India will go a long way in promoting the emerging sports in India. His commitment to nurturing sports is equally visible in the unparalleled sporting facilities which have been created at Bennett University. This is exactly what an emerging superpower like India needs. An all-around development of our youth.” – (Mansukh Mandaviya)
Friendly Match Between Agassi and Bopanna
After the press conference, Agassi played a friendly exhibition match against Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna. The two showed their skills in pickleball, thrilling the audience with their performance.
Vineet Jain Talks About the League’s Goals
Vineet Jain, MD of The Times Group, spoke about the future of pickleball in India.
“We are clear that we want to make pickleball a very major mainstream sport in India and create a robust ecosystem benefitting players, fans, team owners, investors and infrastructure providers. Accordingly, we have signed up with the best global and Indian talent to play in our League.” – (Vineet Jain)
Jain also highlighted the group’s efforts to develop the sport, including the creation of digital platforms and hosting national tournaments.
“To drive Pickleball’s popularity and take this sport to a larger audience, we have launched our digital platform “Pickleball Now” focused exclusively on pickleball content. We, along with the Indian Pickleball Association, plan to host the National Pickleball Championship from 23rd to 26th January 2025 at our Times Group’s Bennett University –which is proud to have 10 pickleball courts.” – (Vineet Jain)
PWR’s Vision for Pickleball
Pranav Kohli, CEO of Pickleball World Rankings (PWR), expressed his excitement about the growth of the sport. “Pickleball is one of the most inclusive sports in the world,” he said, explaining that it is a sport for people of all ages and skill levels.
“Pickleball is one of the most inclusive sports in the world. It’s a sport that my daughter, my wife and my father can all play together on the same court and still have a competitive game. It’s where people like me, with my weight, can dream of playing against some of the fitter people on the court and live out our athletic fantasies. And at the same time, it’s a sport where when you play singles or when you even play doubles at a very competitive level, it’s one of the most difficult sports.” – (Pranav Kohli)
Kohli also mentioned the goal of having pickleball included in the Olympics by 2036, with India potentially winning the first gold medal.
“We see this sport getting into the Olympics in 2036 and we want the first gold medal to come from India. That’s our vision at PWR. And with that embodied vision, today we want to announce an ecosystem for the players so that they can participate in leagues, participate in tournaments, participate in pathways, and not just in India, but across the globe.” – (Pranav Kohli)
Agassi and Pickleball: A Growing Partnership
Agassi shared his personal experience with pickleball, noting how it has become a great outlet for him and his wife, Steffi Graf. “Pickleball is challenging on any level,” he said.
“Over the last two years, I’ve been playing pickleball quite a lot. It’s been a great outlet for me and my wife, a fantastic exercise. Those of you that watch it from a distance might think that it’s all the way over. Maybe the old people have played it – but I guess I’m a little old – but I promise you, you can challenge yourself on any level that you pour yourself into it. I’m proud to be here on behalf of DUPR. It’s the most accurate rating system in the sport, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity and the platform to hopefully grow this sport globally. We have 30 million people in America now playing it, more or less, and I promise you it’s still at its infancy.” – (Andre Agassi)
He encouraged people to try the sport, emphasizing its ability to bring communities together and improve individual lives.
“I believe in the sport from top down, but I believe in it mostly from a participation standpoint, what it brings to people’s lives individually, what it brings to communities, what it brings to bringing people together, which is what life is about… I’d say, you know, give pickleball a go, because that’s all you have to do is try it a few times, and it’ll be part of your life.” – (Andre Agassi)
The Future of Pickleball in India
The PWR DUPR India League is part of a larger effort to make pickleball a major sport in India. With support from the Indian Pickleball Association and the Asian Pickleball Association, the league hopes to inspire more young athletes to take up the sport.
“PWR, the collaborative effort between The Times Group and Pickleball League Asia, along with the support of the Indian Pickleball Association, the Asian Pickleball Association, and the Global Pickleball Federation, is helping elevate India’s presence in the international pickleball community.” – (Mansukh L. Mandaviya)
This event is expected to be the first of many, with future tournaments planned across India in cities like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
News in Brief: PWR DUPR India League Launches
The launch of the PWR DUPR India League marks a significant milestone for pickleball in India. With support from top athletes and influential figures, the league is ready to help the sport grow and inspire the next generation of players. As the sport gains traction, its future looks bright, with the potential to become a major part of India’s sports landscape.
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