DHCBA Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball is fast becoming the favorite pastime of Delhi’s lawyers, bringing together juniors and seniors for fitness and fun. At the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) Pickleball Tournament, held at Speed Up Club in Lodhi Estate, Khan Market, lawyers swapped their black coats for jerseys and paddles, creating a lively atmosphere despite monsoon rains halting play.
A Break from Courtroom Routine
For many lawyers, pickleball game is more than just a game. Soumya Dubey, who practises at the Delhi High Court, said, “It makes the bar meet and lawyer colleagues meet for something other than law.”
Soumya, playing her first competitive event, prefers doubles. “Going to the gym or working out at home gets pretty monotonous, and pickleball is something really fun, a little bit easier than all the other active sports too. Mostly we indulge in doubles, not singles. I am excited to give it a shot.”
She added that the sport also helps with fitness and focus. “It is a good evening pastime for all of us and it adds to the fitness as well. The purpose is entirely fitness and a little bit of mental clarity. You run a lot, it is a fast sport, so it keeps you active and flexible. You need good control over the motions, the movements.”
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A Competitive Edge
For some, pickleball is not just casual recreation but a serious challenge. Nancy Roy, a tennis player and lawyer at the Delhi High Court, said, “Honestly, I play tennis regularly. I never thought that I would play pickleball because I enjoy tennis a lot. But when I saw this tournament coming… such a big tournament… I thought I shall participate in this.”
Nancy joined all three categories: singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. After winning her first women’s doubles match, she said, “I played my first match in women’s doubles on the opening day, won it to reach the semifinals, and realised it is a fun sport.”
She believes the sport’s appeal lies in its openness. “It is not as strenuous as tennis. You can play after office or before office. People with injuries who cannot play tennis can enjoy pickleball. I am quite enjoying it. Tennis anytime… I am loving pickleball so you never know, maybe my preference changes.”
Nancy also explained why many are shifting from tennis. “For tennis you need to know the techniques, you need to know the rules and you need to be very, very agile. So I think that is why people like to play pickleball more than tennis.”
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Accessible and Inclusive
For younger lawyers like Satyam Raina, the game has become a routine. “It is a wonderful initiative by the Bar Association and all our seniors. It is a wonderful sport and it brings together younger lawyers, older lawyers.”
Playing for six months, Satyam values its accessibility. “In terms of learning curve, it is slightly easier than badminton or lawn tennis. That gives us the opportunity to play with people who are older as well as younger.”
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He added, “If I play today, I will be able to play tomorrow as well. It is not like my muscles are going to be sore or I am going to be very tired. In that way, I think it is a lot more accessible for older and younger people alike.”
He also described the sport’s physical benefits. “It is a lot of lateral and back-and-forth movement that keeps your joints good. It is good cardio, but at the same time, not very strenuous on the body. You don’t end up with cramps or exhaustion. That is what makes it accessible for both older and younger people.”
Why Lawyers Are Drawn to Pickleball
Tournament organiser Nitesh Mehra, a lawyer and DHCBA member, said the sport’s rising popularity among lawyers was undeniable. “We have chosen pickleball over the other racquet sports because this is the upcoming sport and young lawyers are attracted to it. It has a vibrant, fast game. I think this sport will soon enter the Olympics also. Our young lawyers requested us in large numbers to organise a pickleball event and 290-plus participation at this event tells us how popular it is in our community.”
For many, what started as a trial has become India’s largest lawyers’ pickleball tournament. As Nancy summed it up: “Not just juniors, seniors, everybody is together, they are playing as equals. Outside of court, you are meeting people, playing with them in a friendly way. It is competitive at times, but most of the time it is in good spirit.”
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News in Brief: DHCBA Pickleball Tournament
Pickleball is fast becoming a favorite among Delhi’s lawyers, uniting juniors and seniors through the DHCBA Pickleball Tournament. Players like Soumya Dubey, Nancy Roy, and Satyam Raina praised the sport for its accessibility, fitness benefits, and community spirit. Organiser Nitesh Mehra confirmed over 290 entries, showing its rising popularity.
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