Indian Pickleball Association Makes History: The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) held a special meeting on May 10, 2025, in New Delhi to celebrate its official recognition by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) as the National Sports Federation (NSF) for pickleball. This move puts pickleball on the same level as other top sports in India and will help it grow faster with more support and funding.
The event was attended by the IPA Board, top officials, and over 25 state and union territory representatives, including Presidents and General Secretaries. They came together to plan how to develop and promote pickleball all across India in a more organized way.
Plans for Growth and Competition
At the meeting, each state representative spoke about how pickleball is growing in their area. The IPA announced it will hold over 100 events this year for both men and women of all age groups. It also shared its plan to launch an Indian Pickleball Ranking system for every age category.
The IPA and state groups aim to build a strong and fair system to grow talent and increase competitive play. The goal is to get more people involved and create strong roots for the sport in every part of India. The IPA is also getting ready to organize India’s first national pickleball championships under MYAS. Over 1,000 players from 25+ states will take part in team and individual events.
Big Events and New Leagues
To make pickleball more popular, the IPA is teaming up with the Times Group to start a major league. It will include Indian and international players. The IPA will also hold a Masters tournament with top-ranked players at the end of the year to find India’s best.
The IPA is working with groups around the world to help India become a top pickleball country. It plans to host the first Official Asia Cup and support efforts for pickleball to become an Olympic sport through the Global Pickleball Federation.
The IPA is also launching programs to train coaches and referees, and it is setting up academies. It will work with the Khelo India program and schools to make pickleball part of regular sports training.
Quotes from IPA Leaders
Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, President of the Indian Pickleball Association, said:
“The official recognition as a National Sports Federation is a historic milestone, but it is also a call to action. I am proud to be part of the visionary team of athletes, sports person, coaches, officials, business heads & sports administrators team from all over India. We all are committed to establishing a world-class sporting structure for pickleball in India, focusing on talent identification, equitable access, professional training, and global competitiveness.” – (Suryaveer Singh)
“Our mission is to win medals for India at the junior and pro levels on the international stage. With the expertise of our leadership and the passion of our community, we aim to make pickleball a household name and position India as a global powerhouse in the sport.” – (Suryaveer Singh)
Aalap Sharma, Treasurer of the Indian Pickleball Association, said:
“The landmark decision by MYAS to recognize IPA as National Sports Federation is the beginning of a revolution in Pickleball. Our goal is to make India a Pickleball hub of the world. We are committed to building a strong financial foundation that supports the development of facilities, training programs, youth engagement, and tournament expansion.” – (Aalap Sharma)
“By fostering partnerships and encouraging inclusive participation, we will elevate pickleball to new heights, making it accessible, competitive, and thriving for generations to come.” – (Aalap Sharma)
Events in May 2025
Several major pickleball events will take place across India this May:
- Legends of Dinkers, Ahmedabad, Gujarat – 1 May 2025
- PicklePro Open, Hyderabad, Telangana – 3-4 May 2025
- Pickleball Palooza, Jaipur, Rajasthan – 3 May 2025
- Smash & Rise Pickleball Tournament, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir – 4 May 2025
- RAPA – PWR 100, New Delhi – 24-25 May 2025
What’s Next for IPA and Indian Pickleball
Looking ahead, the IPA plans to keep building infrastructure with help from local governments. It will also start certification programs for coaches and open new academies in big cities. A formal league system is also on the way to help players go from local events to the pro level.
With strong leadership and a clear plan, the Indian Pickleball Association wants to take the sport to new heights. This official recognition gives the IPA more tools to help pickleball grow, become better known, and reach more people across India.
News in Brief: Indian Pickleball Association Makes History
The Indian Pickleball Association has been officially recognized as India’s National Sports Federation. At a special meeting in New Delhi, leaders shared big plans for expanding pickleball across the country, including events, rankings, and training. IPA also aims to take Indian pickleball to the global stage.
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