Kerala Gears Up for Pickleball Certification and Tournaments: Once a niche pastime, pickleball has become a significant part of India’s sporting culture. With an estimated 10,000 professional players and an additional 70,000 amateur participants, the sport is expanding rapidly across the country.
With over 1,000 courts established, cities like Mumbai and Ahmedabad have emerged as hubs for the sport, while metro areas such as Delhi and Chennai are quickly joining the movement. Remarkably, even tier-2 and tier-3 cities are contributing to this growth, solidifying pickleball’s reach.
Anticipation Builds for 2025 Tour
Excitement is set to peak in January 2025, as tennis legend Andre Agassi will visit India to inaugurate the PWR DUPR Indian Tour & League. This initiative aims to promote pickleball as a competitive sport and inspire new players.
Meanwhile, seasoned players like Kochi resident Prakash C continue to highlight the sport’s versatility. “In the past three years, the growth has been phenomenal. Cities like Madurai, Vellore, and Salem are producing talent showcased in state championships,” he notes.
Why Pickleball? Accessibility and Affordability
Pickleball’s appeal lies in its accessibility. With simple rules, minimal equipment, and adaptability to existing infrastructure, the sport is drawing in players from all walks of life. Key points include:
- Ease of learning: Ideal for those with basic racquetball experience.
- Low setup cost: A court can be built for ₹2-4 lakh.
- Versatility: Basketball or badminton courts can be easily converted.
For players like Prakash, the sport offers a way to stay active without the physical strain of traditional sports. “It’s one of the cheapest and easiest sports to start,” he says.
Kerala: A Blossoming Scene
In Kerala, pickleball is gaining traction, with hubs emerging in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. Vishak V S, a member of the Indian team and secretary of the Kerala Pickleball Association, believes the sport is destined for greater heights.
“I foresee a boom in the next couple of years. With its rising popularity, it could one day become an Olympic sport,” he asserts, reflecting on his experience representing India at the 2022 Asian Open in Thailand.
A Community in the Making
From apartment complexes to exclusive clubs, pickleball is more than just a sport; it fosters camaraderie. At Recca Club in Kochi, 26 players regularly meet after a humble beginning. As a club member, Thomas Mathew highlights its appeal to people recovering from injuries, calling it “the perfect way to ease back into sports.”
Players of all ages echo similar sentiments. For Cochin Yacht Club member Tracy Thomas, pickleball has become a family activity. “It’s a fun, low-impact way to stay active together,” she says.
A Step Towards Professionalism
The Kerala Pickleball Association is organizing its first certification course for coaches in December 2024. Scheduled at the Alpha Sports Academy in Pathanamthitta, the event is part of a broader initiative to professionalize the sport in the state.
Jacob Bijo Daniel, an association member, reveals plans for a one-month training program to follow the certification course, with an eye on hosting a state-level tournament in 2025.
News in Brief: Kerala Gears Up for Pickleball Certification and Tournaments
Pickleball is rapidly gaining popularity in India, with over 1,000 courts and an estimated 80,000 players nationwide. The sport’s accessibility, affordability, and ease of learning drive its growth. Kerala is hosting its first coach certification program this December, paving the way for professionalization. Tennis icon Andre Agassi’s visit in January 2025 will further boost its profile through the PWR DUPR Indian Tour & League.
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