S Mandal, The News National
The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) — now officially recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India — has been entrusted with the responsibility to govern, promote, and develop pickleball across the country. This landmark recognition validates IPA as the sole apex body for the sport in India and marks a turning point in its national and global journey. With systematic and painstaking groundwork laid by the members in IPA and a fast-growing community behind it, IPA is ready to drive the next chapter: building a nationwide ecosystem of access, excellence, and opportunity.
This includes embedding pickleball in schools, communities, and elite training programs, and preparing Indian athletes for the global stage.
After this historic achievement, IPA Executive Member & Renowned Actress Raima Sen said, “Delighted to witness the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) receive official recognition from the Government of India. This milestone reflects the relentless efforts of the IPA in promoting and developing pickleball accross the nation. Congratulations to all players and members who have contributed to this achievement. I’m committed to supporting the continued growth and success of pickleball in India.”
Over the past three years, pickleball has rapidly gained popularity in India — inspired by its phenomenal growth in the US and accelerated by a post-pandemic shift toward new-age sports. IPA, and the leaders now at its helm, have been central to this surge. The association has been carefully structured with member states and individuals who bring unmatched credibility — from Olympians and national champions to experienced sports administrators, business leaders, and certified coaches.
“This recognition is a historic milestone — but more importantly, it is a mandate to act,” said Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, President of IPA. “We are committed to building a world-class sporting structure for pickleball in India. The mission is clear: talent identification, equitable access, professional training, and global competitiveness – winning medals for India at the junior and pro categories at the world stage.” He further commented, “The current IPA team brings a wealth of experience — from organizing multiple state and national-level pickleball events to conducting coach certification programs and running junior development academies. Many of us have also represented India on the global stage — at the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games — as players, coaches, and administrators. This collective expertise is a tremendous asset for the growth of pickleball in India. As a team, we are committed to making pickleball one of the most popular sports in the country.”
The IPA Leadership
IPA’s Executive Board brings together 14 visionary leaders committed to the sport’s integrity and growth. Notable members include:
Suryaveer Singh Bhullar – IPA President, National Champion, and Asian Gold Medalist (50+)
Dhiren Patel – US Open Gold Medalist and National Champion (35+) and India No. 1 (35+)
Vishnu Vardhan – Tennis Olympian and Silver Medalist in Asian Games
Lt. Col. Ranbir Chauhan – Veteran sports administrator – over 25 years of International, and National exposure
Praveen Singh – Tournament Director of various International Sporting Events
Vivek Shokeen – Former Davis Cupper India, Active Pickleball Player, A True Athlete and A Coach
Amrita Mukherjee – Women’s National Champion (Open)
Raima Sen – Actor and pickleball advocate
Coaching & Officiating Leadership
Dilip Mohanty, Head of PPR India, has led the training and certification of over 100 coaches nationwide.
Abhishek Mukherjee, world-class tennis official, leads IPA’s referee program, bringing international standards to Indian tournaments.
