India to Send First-Ever Team to Pickleball World Cup 2025, Strengthening Global Sports Presence.

On August 31, 2025, the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), functioning under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), announced that India will send its first-ever team to compete in the Pickleball World Cup 2025. This historic move marks India’s entry into global competitive pickleball, highlighting the country’s growing focus on emerging sports.

      - India’s team will participate in the Pickleball World Cup 2025, scheduled from October 27 to November 2, 2025, in Florida, United States of America (USA), under the aegis of the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF).

      - The team comprises a 14-member squad selected across multiple categories including Open, Under-16, and +50. The selection emphasizes a balanced representation of youth and experienced players to ensure competitive performance on the global stage.

      - The Indian Pickleball team will collaborate with international organizations to enhance training and exposure. India is joining the Global Pickleball Alliance, a coalition that includes the Association of Pickleball Players (APP, USA), Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL), European Pickleball Federation (EPF), National Pickleball League (NPL, Australia), and Pickleball D-Joy (Vietnam). This alliance aims to standardize global competitions and promote pickleball as a professional sport worldwide.

Main Point :-   (i) Participation in this event provides India an opportunity to benchmark its players against international standards, explore advanced techniques, and strengthen grassroots development initiatives for pickleball within the country. The IPA is actively using this exposure to design structured national-level training programs and domestic leagues for talent scouting and skill development.

      (ii) The historic inclusion also aligns with India’s broader vision of promoting emerging sports under MYAS initiatives such as the Khelo India Programme, which emphasizes performance-based recognition, youth engagement, and international sports diplomacy. India’s participation is expected to inspire increased youth interest and participation in pickleball across schools, colleges, and sports clubs nationwide.

(iii) The event is also significant as it sets the stage for India to contribute to the world’s first professional global pickleball tour, scheduled to start in 2026. India’s engagement in these international alliances reflects its commitment to fostering sustainable professional sports ecosystems and enhancing global competitiveness in emerging disciplines.
About Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS)