The Indian Counter-Pickleball Association (IPA) has now been officially recognized by the Government of India through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs to act as the National Sports Federation of the country. He was responsible for governing, promoting and developing pickleball across the country. This historical recognition validates the IPA as the only apex body for sport in India and marks a turning point in its national and global trip.
With systematic and meticulous bases thrown by IPA members and a rapidly growing community behind, IPA is ready to drive the next chapter: Building a national ecosystem of access, excellence and opportunity. This includes the integration of pickleball into schools, communities and elite training programs, and the preparation of Indian athletes for the world scene.
The Indian Pickleball Association plays a robust and inclusive sports ecosystem built on the following pillars: 100,000 active recorded players regularly participating in national events and competitions in all age groups. A complete program for the development of the base and the creation of more efficient national centers for elite training, in addition to existing centers, are also part of the program.
A key priority for the IPA is the development, training and committee of young people, as well as professional pathways. To this end, the association is actively working on the deployment of pickleball in schools, aligning programs such as the expansion of Khelo India Women’s Pickleball Cup, defending the inclusion between sexes and organizing international conferences of coaches to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and national certification programs for referees and coaches, the creation of a job and a structure.
Showing its national impact, IPA nationals in January 2025 at Bennett University in Grand Noida welcomed more than 500 players from more than 20 Indian states. The tournament included 14 international courts, presenting competitive standards upon India.
Previously, the PWR Dupr India Masters 2024, sanctioned from IPA to the DLTA stadium, New Delhi, drew global attention to Indian pickleball. The event attracted players from around the world. The IPA has also hosted clinics and coaching programs in India led by App World # 1 Megan Fudge Deheart and App World # 5 Ryler Deheart – highlighting its commitment to the best global expertise in India.
“This recognition is a historic step – but more importantly, it is a mandate to act,” said Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, president of the IPA. “We are committed to building a world -class sports structure for pickleball in India. The mission is clear: identification of talents, fair access, vocational training and global competitiveness – winning medals for India in junior and pro categories on the world scene. ”
He also commented: “The current IPA team brings a multitude of experience – from the organization of state and national pickleball events to conduct coaches’ certification programs and the management of junior development academies. Many of us also represented India on the world stage – at the Olympic Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games – as players, coaches and administrators. Committed to making pickleball one of the most popular sports in the country.
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