What’s the Score?
The Global Pickleball Federation (GPF) has made a strategic move to shift the sport’s centre of gravity toward the East by appointing Aditya Khanna as the new Asia Continental Director. Khanna, a prominent figure in Indian sports administration and the current CEO of the Indian Pickleball Association, has outlined an aggressive mission: to transform Asia into a global pickleball powerhouse capable of rivalling North America.
Hit it deeper!
Khanna’s appointment is not merely administrative; it is a signal of intent. A former tennis player with deep roots in sports governance, Khanna has already been a pioneering force, credited with conceptualising and launching the Indian Pickleball League in December 2025. In his new capacity on the GPF Board, he has articulated a dual strategy: strengthening international collaboration and advancing the sport’s bid for Olympic inclusion. He believes that for pickleball to become an Olympic sport, it must have a robust, high-level footprint outside of the United States.
His roadmap relies on decentralising the sport’s infrastructure. Khanna has identified key markets—China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines—as the engines for this growth. These nations have shown “rapid growth in participation and competitive standards,” according to Khanna. His priority is to bring world-class, GPF-sanctioned events to these countries, creating a competitive circuit that allows Asian athletes to develop without needing to travel to the US. By establishing a “commercial and competitive hub” in Asia, Khanna aims to professionalise the sport across the continent, moving it from grassroots recreational play to elite athletic performance.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Aditya Khanna’s appointment may look back on as a watershed moment for the sport. For years, pickleball has been viewed as a uniquely American phenomenon. Khanna’s strategy challenges that narrative. If he successfully integrates the massive populations of India and China into the global circuit, the sheer volume of players will inevitably alter the competitive landscape. The focus on Olympic inclusion is the key driver here; the International Olympic Committee requires global ubiquity, and Asia is the final frontier for that validation. This is a clear message that the future of professional pickleball will be written in Mumbai, Tokyo, and Beijing as much as it is in Texas and Florida.
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