The Pickleball World Cup in Miami brought together 68 countries in one vibrant arena, and for Team India, it was both a celebration and a statement of growth.
“It’s amazing to see how much the sport has grown,” said Tanya Rao, who has been playing since 2015 and now lives in Canada. “It makes me proud to have been one of the early birds in the sport. Now people come up to me and ask about the game, I don’t even need to explain what pickleball is anymore. That shows how far it has come and how people celebrate it.”
Reflecting on her early days, Tanya added, “Just look at the facility now, it’s world-class, with dedicated courts. I remember when we started, we only had wooden paddles and converted a concrete space into a court. People didn’t really get it. They’d ask, ‘Why are you playing with paddles?’ But now it’s professional, it feels like we’re in a real quarterfinal atmosphere.”
Team India manager Vallabh Shah echoed her pride and gratitude. “It’s been a wonderful journey. This event brought together 68 countries cheering for each other, shouting, and celebrating. It’s been an amazing experience being at the Pickleball World Cup,” he said.
“Our team has been fabulous, giving their all in every match,” Vallabh added. “Bela ma’am fell during a match and got back up within minutes, that’s the spirit this team has shown. Everyone has performed extremely well. Yes, our seniors and open teams couldn’t go through this time, but we’ll practise harder and come back stronger next time.”
Both Tanya and Vallabh shared a common sentiment that pickleball in India has evolved from quiet corners to global courts, powered by passion and persistence.
About Indian Pickleball Association:
The Indian Pickleball Association is the official governing body for pickleball in India and is dedicated to promoting, developing, and organising the sport across the country. The association continues to inspire players of all ages and skill levels to embrace the game through events like the IPA Nationals. IPA is affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF).
About Pickleball World Ranking:
PWR is a national ranking system that spans all age groups, skill divisions, and formats -including singles, doubles, and mixed categories. It serves as the official National Sports Federation Ranking for India. With multiple sanctioned events taking place every week across the country, PWR defines the top Indian players at every level and forms the foundation for team selection at the school, district, state, and national stages.
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