Pickleball Among Young Athletes: Pickleball is gaining popularity in India as professional athletes from badminton, tennis, and squash transition to the sport. Coaches like Mohammad Ashraf are now dedicated to training young enthusiasts. With only 1,000 pickleball courts in the country, the sport shows great promise for future growth.

Coaches Embrace Pickleball

Mohammad Ashraf, a professional tennis coach certified by the Professional Pickleball Registry, now focuses on pickleball at the Winners Academy in Noida. He highlights the advantages of the sport.

“The best thing is that you need much less space for a pickleball court. The basketball court was already made there, and we just converted it into four pickleball courts.” – (Mohammad Ashraf)

However, he notes that many players still view it as a recreational activity rather than a competitive one.

Need for Awareness and Facilities

Ashraf emphasizes the need for increased awareness of pickleball.

“Right now, because very few people know about this game, a lot of advertising and exposure is required. Monthly, we are generating anywhere around Rs 15,000-20,000. Coaching is yet to take off in a big way as only those who are participating in competitions and not getting the desired results are seeking professional training.” – (Mohammad Ashraf)

Currently, the academy generates around Rs 15,000-20,000 monthly, as coaching is mainly sought by those participating in competitions and not achieving their desired results.

Despite the challenges, the potential for growth in pickleball is significant, with Mumbai and Ahmedabad serving as major hubs.

Concerns About Court Standards

Madhukar of Quadwoke raises concerns about how investors are approaching pickleball. He warns that some are treating the sport as a “money-minting business” by prioritizing profit over proper guidelines.

“As per the norms, a court should be at least 1,800 sq. feet. However, vendors in India are looking to maximise their revenue by building 1,000 sq ft courts, making it difficult for players to move.” – (Madhukar )

This situation poses challenges for players and the integrity of the sport.

Growing Popularity and Future Opportunities

Organizations like KheloMore are also benefiting from the growing interest in pickleball. Monthly tournaments like ‘Battle Under Lights’ attract players of all ages who are eager to showcase their skills. Prabhat Mani Vats, secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Pickleball Association, notes,

“In India, we have just touched the tip of the iceberg. With enough facilities sprouting now to play on a regular basis, groups of pickleball players are trying to connect with each other and are conducting tournaments.” – (Prabhat Mani Vats)

“They are also making money. The registration fees per person range from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500. However, the cost of running these tournaments is very negligible. The only cost that you are paying is for the courts.” – (Prabhat Mani Vats)

With more facilities emerging, groups of players are connecting and organizing tournaments, generating revenue while keeping costs low.

With professional tournaments gaining traction and pickleball courts expanding across India, the sport has the potential to become a major player in the sports scene. Everyone seems eager to get involved, and the future looks bright for pickleball in India.

News in Brief: Pickleball Among Young Athletes

Pickleball is gaining momentum in India, with professional athletes from badminton, tennis, and squash transitioning to the sport. Coaches like Mohammad Ashraf highlight the need for awareness and proper facilities, while concerns about court standards arise due to profit-driven approaches.

Organizations like KheloMore are organizing monthly tournaments, indicating significant growth potential as interest and participation increase across the country.

ALSO READ: Megan Fudge DeHeart’s Message to Young Pickleball Athletes, The Truth About Hard Work