Indian Pickleball Association Charts New Course As Official NSF Amid AIPA Opposition
The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) convened in New Delhi to celebrate its newly attained status as the officially recognized National Sports Federation (NSF) for pickleball in India. The landmark designation, granted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), elevates pickleball’s profile in India, positioning it alongside major sports such as cricket, badminton, and basketball.
For the IPA, the recognition marks a pivotal turning point. Not only does it open doors to enhanced funding and structured development, but it also provides a platform for nationwide promotion of the sport, a crucial step in transforming pickleball from a niche pastime to a mainstream competitive sport across the country.
Source: The Sportz Planet
A Roadmap For Growth: IPA’s Bold Vision For Pickleball In India
The meeting brought together IPA board members, state representatives, and key stakeholders to outline the association’s strategic vision. With the goal of establishing a world-class sporting structure for pickleball, the IPA laid out a comprehensive action plan:
100+ Events Across India: The IPA plans to host over 100 pickleball tournaments in 2025, targeting players of all ages and skill levels across multiple states.
National Rankings System: The association will introduce the first official Indian Pickleball Rankings, aimed at identifying and nurturing top talent nationwide.
Pickleball Nationals Under MYAS: The inaugural Pickleball Nationals, endorsed by MYAS, is set to draw over 1,000 players from 25 states, offering both individual and team formats.
Flagship League with Times Group: A flagship league featuring top Indian and international players will be launched in partnership with the Times Group. The league will culminate in a Masters tournament to crown the top-ranked athletes.
Global Aspirations and Asia Cup: In a bid to assert India’s presence on the global pickleball stage, the IPA is in talks to host the first-ever Asia Cup and pursue Olympic inclusion through the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF).
Grassroots Development: The IPA also outlined plans to implement academy accreditation, coaching certification programs, and institutional integration with Khelo India and school networks to foster talent from the ground up.
Building A Pickleball Powerhouse: Leadership Speaks
Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, President of the IPA, emphasized the broader vision behind the MYAS recognition.
“The official recognition as a National Sports Federation is a historic milestone, but it is also a call to action. We are committed to establishing a world-class sporting structure for pickleball in India, focusing on talent identification, equitable access, and professional training. Our mission is to win medals for India at the junior and pro levels on the international stage,” Bhullar stated.
Aalap Sharma, Treasurer of the IPA, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the IPA’s mission to make India a global hub for pickleball.
“The decision by MYAS to recognise IPA as the National Sports Federation marks the beginning of a pickleball revolution in India. By fostering partnerships and encouraging inclusive participation, we aim to elevate pickleball to new heights, making it accessible, competitive, and thriving for generations to come,” Sharma said.
AIPA Challenges IPA’s Legitimacy
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the IPA’s rise as the official governing body for pickleball has not gone uncontested. The All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), which has been operational since 2007 and boasts over 10,000 members across 24 states, has formally challenged the MYAS decision in the Delhi High Court.
The AIPA contends that its long-standing presence and expansive membership base make it the rightful custodian of pickleball in India. The association claims the IPA’s recognition as NSF is unwarranted, given its relative infancy – the IPA was established only six months ago.
Despite the legal dispute, the IPA appears undeterred, pressing forward with its ambitious plans.
Looking Ahead: India’s Pickleball Future
The IPA’s recognition as India’s official governing body for pickleball is a watershed moment for the sport. With a robust action plan and ambitious global aspirations, the association is poised to reshape the pickleball landscape in India.
Yet, as the AIPA’s legal challenge looms, the battle for control over the sport’s future in India is far from over. The coming months will be crucial in determining not just which body prevails, but how the sport evolves in a country of over a billion potential players.
