The Power Struggle of Pickleball : Efforts v/s Influence

Introduction

The modern world is running with many emerging trends, from one idea to another. This era has seen the emergence of a lot of new trends around the world like the new EV cars to AI tools in every app or website. New trends keep coming and they change the modern society bit by bit. Social media trends are quick ones; one post or reel can be the next trending style or meme. Take for example the Ghibli art posts. But let’s talk about the newest and biggest trend in sports in India, which is the sport of Pickleball. 

The New Sports Trend

Pickleball is not just a sport, it’s a sport of a new age. It is easy and fun to play with.  It is a recreational sport which anyone between the age of 6 to 65 or even 70 (depending upon fitness and health) can play. You can say that it’s a mix of tennis and badminton. It is an easy sport to play, and it is very competitive as well. Pickleball is not a costly sport, very easy to learn and play for a beginner. A sport where friends, and family can play together just to enjoy playing sports.

The pickleball court is also easy to make, it doesn’t take too much effort and cost. In India, the sport is blooming rapidly in enormous numbers. Many actors, sports personalities have taken it up. Someday, it can be India’s strong suit on the international level against other countries.

AIPA Pickleball Players

 All India Pickleball Association

The reason behind this trend and blooming sport industry is because of the efforts of AIPA (All India Pickleball Association). The AIPA had been putting efforts for almost 18 years now, they are the reason for pickleball’s rising trend in India under the leadership of founder Mr. Sunil Valavalkar & President of AIPA Mr. Arvind Prabhoo. They have introduced and created awareness of the sport, and now the sport is played in more than 24 states in India. Created 10000 plus players for the sport and have 6 plus national tournaments like the World Pickleball League. AIPA has been changing the world of sports in India with a sport which is easy to play and exceptionally good for fitness and health. 

AIPA President

Exerting work of AIPA

AIPA has only one goal, to open the doors for every individual in India to play pickleball and reach as many people as possible, to get pickleball more recognition. Until now they have worked brick by brick to create a sports ecosystem for pickleball. Because of these efforts they are now a big association who have brands like Skechers and companies like Bingo sponsoring them.

Esteemed Brands & Sponsors

 AIPA has developed the sport from a grass-root level and nurtured new coaches and volunteers for competitions of the sport. AIPA is also the founding members of International Pickleball Federation and the Asian Pickleball Federation with official affiliation received in 2015 and 2020 respectively. There is only one thing remaining for the oldest association of pickleball and that is to get recognition from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) as the National Sports Federation of Pickleball.

Arrival of The New Threat

But the dream to be recognised by the government from MYAS has been in danger as the MYAS announced the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) as the apex body of pickleball in India. This news is shocking to many people as not many people knew about IPA. AIPA is furious with this decision as the IPA association itself is an association which has only a public record of five months ago. And AIPA has been nurturing the sport like a father nurtures his child since 2007. They have every right to be furious as they have been putting efforts and their achievements in the time are remarkable indeed. The AIPA as well as the pickleball players are hurt by this decision.

The Letter of Help

AIPA has now written a letter to the Prime Minister seeking help and justice. The letter asks for justice to the sports ecosystem of India which is hurt by the decision of MYAS. In the letter, AIPA claims that they are heart broken and the decision makes them question the system. The association requests the Prime Minister to review this decision transparently. Association mentioned that the sports ecosystem of pickleball should not be a victim of politics.

Brand Ambassador of AIPA

The Ignorance of Law

IPF is an association which was founded in November 2024. There are eligibility criterions to be recognized as the apex body of a sport by the MYAS. The associations should exist for three or more years minimum and should represent at state level by affiliating with fifty percent of district level associations in that region to be considered valid through Sports Development Code of India. IPF does not have this eligibility criteria but still they have been recognised by the MYAS and not AIPA who have built this sport by crafting its ecosystem brick by brick

AIPA v/s IPA

However, the Delhi High court hears out AIPA’s concerns and has now acted upon it. The Delhi high court has now asked the ministry of youth affairs and sports to explain their derogation granted to the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) under the sports code. The hearing is on 19th May 2025. AIPA has petitioned the court to set aside the recognition granted to IPA, citing non-compliance with legal requirements.

Will All India Pickleball Association get justice? Or will the Indian Pickleball Association become the National sports federation of pickleball this time for sure?
Let’s wait and watch…

Letter Sent BY AIPA : CLICK HERE

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By Ishaan Dighe