Indian Pickleball Association Gets Government Backing: The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) has been officially recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, as the country’s governing body for the sport of pickleball. This recognition makes IPA the sole authority for the sport’s growth and development in India, providing it with the support to promote and organize events nationwide.
This is a significant step forward for the sport in India. The association is now in a position to shape the future of pickleball, from grassroots development to high-performance training programs. The IPA is focused on ensuring access to the sport at all levels, including schools, communities, and elite programs for athletes.
IPA’s Vision for the Future
The Indian Pickleball Association has laid out an ambitious plan for the future of the sport. Their vision includes growing the number of active players and increasing opportunities for competition.
The association aims to have 100,000 active players regularly participating in events. To support this, IPA is working on programs for youth development, including training, officiating, and professional pathways.
One of the IPA’s major goals is to include pickleball in schools across India, aligned with initiatives like Khelo India. They also plan to expand the Women’s Pickleball Cup, promoting gender equality in the sport. Additionally, the IPA aims to hold international coaching conferences and create a structured system for referee and coach certification.
“This recognition is a historic milestone — but more importantly, it is a mandate to act.” – (Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, President of IPA)
Ongoing Developments and Upcoming Events
In January 2025, the IPA Nationals at Bennett University in Greater Noida attracted over 500 players from more than 20 states. This tournament showcased the growing competitive standards in India, featuring 14 international-standard courts. The IPA also hosted the PWR DUPR India Masters 2024 at DLTA Stadium in New Delhi, drawing global attention to Indian pickleball.
The Indian Pickleball League, set for the second half of 2025, will feature six teams and top players from India and abroad. The league was announced by tennis icons Andre Agassi and Rohan Bopanna in December 2024 in Mumbai.
Strong Leadership and Support
The leadership of IPA brings together a team of experienced and accomplished individuals. Key leaders include Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, President of IPA, who is also a national champion and Asian Gold Medalist in the 50+ category; Dhiren Patel, a US Open Gold Medalist and National Champion; and Vishnu Vardhan, an Olympic tennis player and Asian Games Silver Medalist.
IPA’s coaching and officiating programs are led by experts such as Dilip Mohanty, Head of PPR India, and Abhishek Mukherjee, a world-class tennis official.
“We are committed to building a world-class sporting structure for pickleball in India. The mission is clear: talent identification, equitable access, professional training, and global competitiveness – winning medals for India at the junior and pro categories at the world stage.” – (Bhullar)
“The current IPA team brings a wealth of experience — from organizing multiple state and national-level pickleball events to conducting coach certification programs and running junior development academies. Many of us have also represented India on the global stage — at the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games — as players, coaches, and administrators. This collective expertise is a tremendous asset for the growth of pickleball in India. As a team, we are committed to making pickleball one of the most popular sports in the country.” – (Bhullar)
Building Global Competitiveness
The Indian Pickleball Association is a proud member of the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF) and is focused on aligning with GPF’s roadmap for Olympic inclusion. IPA is preparing Indian athletes for international competitions, including the Pickleball World Cup and other global events.
Upcoming IPA events include:
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Legends of Dinkers – Ahmedabad, Gujarat – May 1, 2025
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PicklePro Open – Hyderabad, Telangana – May 3-4, 2025
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Pickleball Palooza – Jaipur, Rajasthan – May 3, 2025
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Smash & Rise Pickleball Tournament – Srinagar, J&K – May 4, 2025
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Bainbridge Open 1.0 – Ahmedabad, Gujarat – May 9-11, 2025
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RAPA – PWR 100 – New Delhi, Delhi – May 24-25, 2025
Future of Pickleball in India
With official recognition and a clear roadmap for the future, the Indian Pickleball Association is ready to transform the sport in the country. The IPA’s focus on youth development, national competitions, and international exposure is expected to help make pickleball a popular and competitive sport in India.
News in Brief: Indian Pickleball Association Gets Government Backing
The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) has received official recognition from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, making it the governing body for pickleball in India. With a focus on youth development and international competitiveness, IPA plans to grow the sport through nationwide programs and events, including the upcoming Indian Pickleball League in 2025.