Mumbai Hosts World Pickleball Championship: The World Pickleball Championship (WPC) Series, held for the first time in India from November 12-17, 2024, marked a significant milestone for the sport. Hosted at the prestigious Cricket Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai, the event attracted 55 international players from 16 countries, following successful legs in Vietnam and Bali. Team India emerged as the standout performer, claiming 28 medals, including 11 golds, and clinching the team event championship. Arvind Prabhoo, President of the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), described the event as transformative.
“I believe it is an amazing journey for these individuals who are not very well educated but have really strong skill, and they are now able to support themselves with an excellent livelihood and also take care for their family in rural India. I believe it’s a fantastic sport to be involved in, especially since individuals can make a living from it.” – (Arvind Prabhoo)
Promoting the Game in India
The WPC provided more than just world-class pickleball action; it served as a platform to inspire young athletes and engage fans. Prabhoo emphasized the tournament’s potential to popularize the sport at the grassroots level, noting that exposure to top-tier competition benefits aspiring players.
“Our primary aim for AIPA and the International Pickleball Federation is to get the sport to the Olympics. Every athlete’s ultimate ambition is to win an Olympic medal, and if we start with youngsters, perhaps in the years 2032 or 2036, when the Olympics comes to India, we will be prepared with a large contingent of players capable of earning medals at the top levels.” – (Arvind Prabhoo)
AIPA’s Strategic Approach
The efforts of AIPA, established in 2007, have been pivotal in attracting corporate sponsorship. Prabhoo attributed this success to the association’s grassroots initiatives and robust organizational structure.
“AIPA was founded in 2007, and for the previous 17 years, we have worked relentlessly to promote the game. I believe that one of the most clinching factors for any major corporate sponsor is what we do at the grassroots level, and they studied and evaluated what we have been doing at the grassroots level for the previous years, which I believe was the primary reason they came forward.” – (Arvind Prabhoo)
Looking ahead, AIPA holds the rights to host the WPC in India for the next five years. While immediate returns may be limited, Prabhoo is optimistic about the future.
“We have the rights to host WPC in India for the next five years, and ROI does not occur in the first year. We have been lucky to have excellent sponsors. When we conduct the PNL at the conclusion of the event, we can see if we made a profit on it. But, moving forward, I see that with the mileage that the sponsor receives from us, we will be able to generate a profit enough to sneak into the WPC.” – (Arvind Prabhoo)
Empowering Players Financially
One of the most profound impacts of the WPC has been on players from rural India. Many grassroots athletes have used their skills to earn livelihoods, travel internationally, and support their families. Prabhoo expressed pride in these success stories, saying,
“AIPA has helped many grassroots players from rural India become champions. These champions are travelling across the world earning prizes and are now able to support themselves via pickleball. I believe it is an amazing journey for these individuals who are not very well educated but have really strong skill, and they are now able to support themselves with an excellent livelihood and also take care for their family in rural India. I believe it’s a fantastic sport to be involved in, especially since individuals can make a living from it.” – (Arvind Prabhoo)
The Road Ahead
Reflecting on the tournament’s success, Prabhoo described the experience as humbling. “It’s exciting to see this dream become a reality,” he said, acknowledging the collective effort that has brought pickleball to this pivotal moment in India.
“More than anything, it humbles me, the effort that we put in and the manner that the people have supported us has been quite humbling. It’s an exciting experience to witness this dream become reality.” – (Arvind Prabhoo)
News in Brief: Mumbai Hosts World Pickleball Championship
The World Pickleball Championship debuted in India at Mumbai’s Cricket Club of India, drawing 55 international players from 16 nations. Team India dominated the event, winning 28 medals, including 11 golds.
AIPA President Arvind Prabhoo highlighted the tournament’s potential to grow the sport at grassroots levels and attract corporate sponsorship. He also emphasized the financial empowerment pickleball offers to rural athletes.