The sport of pickleball is poised for a significant boost in India with the launch of the World Pickleball League.
Six years ago, Tejas Mahajan transitioned from badminton to pickleball. He quickly excelled, earning numerous medals at both national and international levels.
The 26-year-old recently won two golds and a bronze at the Asia Pickleball Open in Thailand in February.
Pickleball has provided Mahajan with an identity and a livelihood, allowing him to pay off his home loan in Jalgaon and purchase a new motorcycle.
Mahajan and others have much to look forward to with the announcement of the World Pickleball League, set to commence in a few months.
The league, launched by former Davis Cup player Gaurav Natekar’s firm, Natekar Sports and Gaming, is supported by Sony Entertainment Talent Ventures India.
It will feature six teams comprising both international and Indian players, with an investment of $10 million over the next three to five years.
Natekar recognized pickleball’s potential about a year ago during a tournament in Goa.
He observed good participation, low-cost court construction, and minimal space requirements.
Additionally, the sport appealed to all age groups, with 35-40% of participants being women. “It’s an easy game to learn but a tough one to master,” Natekar remarks.
Pickleball originated in the United States in the 1960s. The All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) was established in 2008, but the sport only gained significant traction in India recently.
National-level ranking tournaments have been common, with a highlight being the Bainbridge Cup (considered the Pickleball World Cup) held in Mumbai in 2022.
“We had 435 players from 11 countries, and the $50,000 prize money drew considerable attention.
Since then, the sport has grown, with over 10,000 registered players and approximately 25,000-30,000 participants in India,” says Nikhil Mathure, AIPA treasurer.
India has also achieved notable success internationally. Earlier this year, Indian teams won 10 medals at the US Open Pickleball Championship and five at the Asian Open Pickleball Championship.
AIPA has been actively promoting the sport, sourcing local manufacturers for equipment, and conducting demonstrations at schools and universities. They have also expanded to smaller towns, establishing 19 state associations.
“Lowering the financial entry barrier was crucial for accessibility. We have many young players today,” Mathure adds.
Natekar aims to attract top international players to ensure the league’s success.
“We are committed to developing pickleball through talent searches and grassroots programs. Our goal is to create local heroes through this league,” he says.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Tejas Mahajan’s Journey | – Switched from badminton to pickleball six years ago |
| – Won multiple medals at national and international levels | |
| – Recent achievements: Two golds and a bronze at the Asia Pickleball Open in Thailand | |
| – Benefits: Paid off home loan, bought a new motorcycle | |
| World Pickleball League | – Launching soon in India |
| – Initiated by Gaurav Natekar’s firm, Natekar Sports and Gaming | |
| – Supported by Sony Entertainment Talent Ventures India | |
| – Features six teams with international and Indian players | |
| – Investment: $10 million over 3-5 years | |
| Gaurav Natekar’s Insights | – Realized pickleball’s potential during a tournament in Goa |
| – Observations: Good participation, low-cost court construction, minimal space requirements, inclusive for all ages, 35-40% women participants | |
| – Noted as an easy game to learn but tough to master | |
| Pickleball in India | – Origins in the US in the 1960s |
| – All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) established in 2008 | |
| – Gained significant traction recently | |
| – Bainbridge Cup (Pickleball World Cup) held in Mumbai in 2022 | |
| – Growth: Over 10,000 registered players, 25,000-30,000 participants | |
| International Achievements | – Indian teams won 10 medals at the US Open Pickleball Championship and five at the Asian Open Pickleball Championship earlier this year |
| AIPA’s Efforts | – Promoting the sport through local manufacturers for equipment |
| – Conducting demonstrations at schools and universities | |
| – Expanding to smaller towns, establishing 19 state associations | |
| – Focus on lowering the financial entry barrier to increase accessibility | |
| Future Goals | – Natekar plans to bring top international players for the league |
| – Commitment to talent searches and grassroots programs | |
| – Aim: Building local heroes through the league |
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