Pickleball Gains Momentum in India: Pickleball is rapidly gaining popularity in India, with courts appearing in urban centers nationwide. The sport, a mix of badminton and table tennis, is now recognized as a fun activity for office workers and retirees. It has also become a professional career option for those skilled at using carbon fiber paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball.
The upcoming launch of the World Pickleball League (WPBL) on January 24 in Mumbai is a significant milestone for the sport in India. The league features six teams, including the Chennai Super Champs, which has assembled a strong lineup coached by Florida-based Joey Farias.
Joey Farias Brings Expertise to India
Joey Farias has been a part of pickleball for nearly a decade, promoting the sport worldwide. His involvement in the Chennai Super Champs marks his first venture in India. “Sports in India, especially racquet sports, have had a big history and it (pickleball) being a new sport was a driving force for me (coming to India),” Joey shared in an interview.
Joey expressed excitement about the energy and enthusiasm of the Indian people. “Seeing the energy from the people and how they have adopted the sport made me even more of a believer,” he noted. He believes that pickleball will follow a successful trajectory similar to that of badminton and table tennis, two sports in which India has excelled.
“We’ll start seeing players get introduced to pickleball in no time, and once they get introduced, you’ll see them explode at the international level.” – (joey)
Promoting Gender Inclusivity in Pickleball
The accessibility of pickleball has encouraged women’s participation, with many leading efforts to promote inclusivity in the sport.
“It is very important to have that kind of inclusivity where women feel welcome to play the sport and feel like it is one of their own,” Joey stated.
The Chennai Super Champs is owned by popular Indian actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu. The team has partnered with Sathyabama University in Chennai, led by Dr. Mariazeena Johnson, to promote women’s participation in pickleball.
Dr. Johnson emphasized, “70% of my university staff are women. 90% of the leadership positions are occupied by women. I want more women from all age groups playing pickleball.”
Chennai Super Champs Set to Compete
The Chennai Super Champs will kick off their WPBL campaign on January 24 against Bengaluru Jawans at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
The introduction of this league is expected to boost the sport’s popularity and encourage more players to participate, particularly women, which could lead to greater success for Indian players on the international stage.
News in Brief: Pickleball Gains Momentum in India
Pickleball is rapidly growing in India, with urban courts emerging nationwide. The World Pickleball League (WPBL) launches on January 24 in Mumbai, featuring six teams, including the Chennai Super Champs, coached by Joey Farias.
Farias promotes gender inclusivity, partnering with Sathyabama University to encourage women’s participation. The league aims to boost pickleball’s popularity and foster international success for Indian players.
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