Kunal Pokharna Pickleball India Championship: Kunal Pokharna, Chief Referee of PWR in Pickleball, oversaw the Rise Up Championship – Pickleball By The Bay 2025, India’s first IPA-sanctioned PWR 1000 tournament. Held from September 26-28 along Chennai’s coastline, the event brought top Indian players together, showcasing the sport’s rising popularity, accessibility, and fitness appeal.
View this post on Instagram
Tournament Excitement and Venue
“This is the first PWR 1000 tournament in India, and it’s not just a regular event,”
Kunal Pokharna told Pickleball Now.
“We have handpicked the top players of India. From the first round itself, the intensity is extremely high. All the athletes are giving their best on the courts. And the view—the organiser has arranged a sea view—is just crazy. We’re really enjoying every moment of the tournament.”
Pickleball’s Popularity in India
Kunal noted pickleball’s rapid growth across India, especially after the pandemic.
“Pickleball has picked up pretty well because of its ease to play. Anyone from any age group can come in and enjoy playing the game in just a couple of days,” (Kunal Pokharna).
“The best part about this game is that you can enjoy it with your parents, friends, or anyone from any age group. It’s injury-free and easy to learn. From 6 to 60, anybody can play.
We even have a 70-plus category in national tournaments. Across India, we’re seeing 5–10 tournaments every week, and the sport has grown tremendously in the last 1–2 years,” (Kunal Pokharna).
Learning and Participation
Kunal emphasized that previous experience in racquet sports helps, but it is not necessary.
“This is a very easy-to-learn and enjoyable game. Even if you have no experience, you can start playing professionally in a couple of months.”
The Rise Up Championship featured five categories: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Only the top 32 and 16 entries were selected, ensuring all matches were highly competitive.
“All the matches happening here are fire,”(Kunal Pokharna).
View this post on Instagram
Impact on Indian Pickleball
The tournament reflects pickleball’s growing status in India and provides top athletes a professional platform. With increased participation and organized competitions, the sport is poised to expand further across the country.
News in Brief: Kunal Pokharna Pickleball India Championship
Kunal Pokharna, Chief Referee of PWR in Pickleball, oversaw India’s first PWR 1000 event at the Rise Up Championship – Pickleball By The Bay 2025 in Chennai. The tournament highlighted the sport’s growth, ease of play, and accessibility for all ages, featuring top Indian athletes across five categories.