Northeast India Embraces Pickleball: The 4th IPA Nationals highlighted the increasing interest in pickleball in Northeast India, with 16 players from Assam participating, alongside players from other states. This surge in popularity is due to the Indian Pickleball Association’s (IPA) efforts to promote the sport in the region.
Expansion of Pickleball in the Northeast
The push for pickleball in Northeast India began at the Gujarat Pickleball League last year. During the event, the sports minister from Mizoram and former tennis player Nazneen Zafar sparked interest in the sport. Following this, Zafar helped form the Assam Pickleball Association, which has accelerated the development of the sport in the area.
Under Zafar’s leadership, the Assam Pickleball Association brought a team of 16 players to the Nationals, showcasing the region’s involvement in the sport. She is also working to establish state-level associations in Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh.
“Right now, there is Assam, which is already a registered state body. Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya, the formation is on, and the procedure for registering the state body is on.” – (IPA President, Suryaveer Singh Bhullar)
Support from IPA and Local Governments
The IPA has been instrumental in supporting these developing associations.
“This is all IPA supported. The Assam Association is also aligned with IPA. They are affiliated to IPA, and these new bodies also will be aligned with IPA, and IPA is helping them with…we have already provided some free paddles and balls…and we will be doing that in the other states, helping in setting up the infrastructure also.” – (Suryaveer Singh Bhullar)
He added that the IPA has provided free paddles and balls and is assisting in building the necessary infrastructure. Collaborations with local governments are also in progress.
The Assam Association is negotiating with its state government, which has promised land for pickleball courts. Similarly, the Mizoram minister has expressed support for the sport.
A Bright Future for Pickleball in the Northeast
Looking ahead, Bhullar believes the Northeast has great potential in the national pickleball scene.
“I find that the athletes from Northeast are basically very athletic and fit. And I think with the introduction of the game there and the right kind of coaching facility and infrastructure, I see some champions coming out of there. They just need to be trained in the right way.” – (Suryaveer Singh Bhullar)
The IPA’s initiatives are laying a solid foundation for the future of pickleball in Northeast India, promising to boost the sport’s popularity and develop new talent in the region.
News in Brief: Northeast India Embraces Pickleball
The 4th IPA Nationals highlighted the growing interest in pickleball in Northeast India, featuring 16 players from Assam. The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) has promoted the sport by forming state-level associations and providing support.
Collaborations with local governments aim to establish infrastructure for the sport. IPA President Bhullar envisions great potential for emerging talent in the region’s pickleball scene.
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