Arvind Prabhoo Challenges Pickleball Federation Status: Arvind Prabhoo, President of the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), announced that the Delhi High Court has directed the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to submit a written explanation for granting National Sports Federation (NSF) status to the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA). The order follows a petition filed by AIPA, which has opposed the Ministry’s decision and raised concerns about the eligibility of the newly formed IPA.
AIPA Questions Legitimacy of Ministry’s Decision
According to a press release by AIPA, the Ministry granted NSF status to the Indian Pickleball Association through a letter dated April 25. The All India Pickleball Association has raised objections to this decision, claiming it was based on undue lobbying and false information. AIPA pointed out that IPA was only created in November 2024 and had not met the requirements needed for such recognition.
AIPA’s President Arvind Prabhoo told ANI, “We challenged it in the court and the honourable court has directed the Ministry of Youth and Sports to furnish under an affidavit the justification for giving relaxation you know they have offered relaxation to this Indian Pickleball Association so the court has asked justification of that. And that is what we are hearing on the 19th, that is coming Monday.”
AIPA Appeals to the Prime Minister
Last Sunday, the All India Pickleball Association wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the letter, they explained that their contribution to pickleball in India for the past 18 years had been overlooked. AIPA believes the Ministry has ignored their long-standing work in growing the sport.
“We have sent it, we are requesting an opinion from the Honorable PM, PMO to look into this matter because according to us it draws injustice for us and all India Pickleball Association, and we are requesting them to intervene in this matter and get to the bottom of this.” – (Prabhoo)
AIPA’s Longstanding Role in Indian Pickleball
The All India Pickleball Association was started in 2007. It is the oldest and most active pickleball body in India. AIPA has members in 24 states and has worked for years to grow the sport. It is also a founding member of the International Pickleball Federation and the Asian Pickleball Federation. These official links were made in 2015 and 2020.
AIPA claims the Indian Pickleball Association does not meet key conditions under the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011. These include:
Minimum three-year existence: As per Para 3.3 of Annexure-II of the Sports Code, a sports group must have worked for at least three years. IPA was formed in November 2024, so it does not meet this rule.
State-level representation: The Code says a sports body must have links with 50% of district associations in a state. AIPA says there is no clear proof that IPA meets this rule.
AIPA Calls for Action from the Ministry
AIPA continues to stand for fair play and honest sports practices. It wants the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to review the decision. The association believes that this move could hurt the sport’s future in India and wants it corrected soon for the good of the sport and the players.
News in Brief: Arvind Prabhoo Challenges Pickleball Federation Status
The Delhi High Court has asked the Sports Ministry to explain why it granted NSF status to the Indian Pickleball Association. The All India Pickleball Association, which has worked in the sport since 2007, says the new body does not meet the rules and wants the decision reviewed.