National Success for Karnataka Hints at Pickleball Power Shift in India

by Joe James

What’s the Story?

The Karnataka Pickleball Association (KPA) is looking to expand after success in India’s recent National Pickleball Tournament in January.

There is a feeling that the game has a bright future in the region of Karnataka as pickleball continues to grow at an exponential rate across India.

Speaking at the KPA’s inaugural annual summit on Sunday, KPA President Shree Harsha outlined his visions and heaped praise on the game.

“In terms of cash prizes, pickleball ranks among the highest in the nation, with multi-crore cash pools at stake,” Harsha said.

“As the coaching and support infrastructure develops, more individuals are likely to dedicate themselves to pickleball on a full-time basis.

“We are currently in discussions with several enthusiasts outside of Bengaluru to establish associations and scout for talent. This collaboration could lead to the formation of a district team based on their contributions.”

Despite its popularity and plans, pickleball has not convinced educational institutions to support student's pursuit of the sport. However, summits at venues such as St. Joseph’s Institute of Management could change that in the long term.

Harsha is prioritising collaboration to unit semi-professional players across the state to help enhance overall performance and contribute to the global push to get pickleball at the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.

Going Deeper

Karnataka is a state in southwest India and the capital, Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), is a high-tech hub known for its shopping and nightlife, as well as bustling pickleball scene.

This year, at the first-ever World Pickleball League in Mumbai, the Bengaluru Jawans, owned by Atlee and Priya Atlee, icons of Indian cinema, were crowned champions in a blockbuster event.

But at a smaller, more grassroots level, the state’s association (KPA) have been aiming to empower underprivileged youth by providing opportunities to engage in pickleball.

The KPA has been organising state-level championships, such as the 8th State Level Pickleball Championship 2024, and participating at the recent Southern Pickleball Team Championship 2025.

Plans are underway this year to begin establishing over 300 new pickleball courts across Karnataka to accommodate the growing interest in the sport.

In Bengaluru, the KPA offer some state-of-the-art courts that adhere to international standards which are suitable for both amateur and professional players.

This is in addition to a variety of other facilities like the Mahesh Bhupathi Pickleball Arena, which features four international standard courts, the Achieve & Cherish venue, with coaching programmes for complete beginners and the NGEF Pickleball Courts which is nearby to the offices of the Indian Pickleball Association.

The demand for pickleball across the state has also reportedly caused many groups to have waiting lists, showing the desire for the game is strong.

The World Pickleball Verdict

The rise of pickleball in Bengaluru and the state of Karnataka is exciting and not unexpected given the accessibility of pickleball and the popularity we are seeing in India.

As seen in many of these articles, sporting infrastructure in areas globally is often stretched, which is where the game can still shine because it does not require a huge amount of financial or special outlay, should the facilities be basic.

Bengaluru is the capital of the state and is known for being a huge tech hub and popular for nightlife, which brings many young and ambitious people waiting to get engrained in a healthy and accessible lifestyle, which pickleball is perfect for.

But, outside of the capital, and across many other districts, challenges remain. Pickleball, compared to other sports, is still in its early stages and as mentioned by Harsha, professional pathways are limited still. The commitment to structured leagues at all levels is a great start, the success of the Jawans in the WPBL puts the area on the map and stamps it in the history of pickleball, but integration into schools and colleges is currently not up to standard. That is what will be crucial for pickleball to continue to grow.

I believe the ambition in Karnataka is there, the appetite is there from players, but educational institutions need to realise pickleball is not going anywhere and if the money flowing through the WPBL is anything to go by, the game will be sustainable as a full-time profession.

But, before getting that far ahead, a steady, structured development plan with everyone on board should be the KPA’s priority.