Indian Court Ruling, WPC Malaysia, PPF Deals, MLP Austin & More
Good morning, pickleballers.
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Indian Pickleball Governance Battle Heats Up: Court Demands Transparency in NSF Recognition
Delhi, India – The All Indian Pickleball Association (AIPA) has received a favourable ruling from the Delhi High Court in its challenge against the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) recognising the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) as the sport's national sports federation (NSF) in India. AIPA was surprised by this recognition, given to IPA, an organisation reportedly operational for only six months, while AIPA had been seeking the status for a considerable time.
Prompted by the circumstances, AIPA took the matter to court. The Delhi High Court directed MYAS to produce complete records related to IPA's recognition. According to AIPA, the court rejected the Government of India's request for more time to comply, stressing the need for transparency in the recognition process. The Government of India acknowledged the involvement of the New Indian Pickleball Association (NIPA), which merged with AIPA in 2024.
AIPA announced that the next court hearing is set for May 23, 2025. The association reiterated its commitment to advocating for transparency and fairness for the entire pickleball community. This legal development follows the IPA's recent meeting outlining its plans for promoting pickleball in India.
RM100,000 on the Line: Asia's Best Descend on Malaysia for WPC Grand Slam 2025 Showdown
Bandar Utama, Malaysia – Asia's top pickleball players are preparing to converge on Bandar Utama for the WPC Asia Pickleball Grand Slam Malaysia 2025. Scheduled from July 16 to July 20, 2025, at The Pickle Ground, this major Tier 4 event in the World Pickleball Championship (WPC) series promises intense competition across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories.
Players ranging from intermediate to elite levels across various age groups will compete for a share of the prize pool of up to RM100,000 (approximately USD 22,000). The top three finishers in each category will receive cash awards, with amounts contingent on the number of entries per division. Matches will adhere to the official USA Pickleball Rulebook.
Registration for the event opened on May 1, 2025, and will close on July 2, 2025, or once all available spots are filled. This tournament is highlighted as crucial for both promoting pickleball throughout Asia and providing a significant platform for high-level play.
Stepping Up Their Game: Philippine Pickleball Federation Seals Major Partnerships with Skechers and Kinetiqq
Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Pickleball Federation (PPF) is making significant strides in elevating the sport domestically and internationally by securing two high-profile partnerships. Announced recently, the PPF has teamed up with the sports and lifestyle apparel brand Skechers and local recovery solutions innovator Kinetiqq.
Skechers now serves as the official footwear partner of the federation. Known globally, Skechers will provide support to Filipino athletes and lend its recognizable brand name to the PPF, aiming to enhance the federation's status.
Meanwhile, Kinetiqq, a manufacturer of athlete recovery products, becomes another key partner. They will offer world-class recovery solutions to Filipino pickleball players, utilising "cutting-edge tools and techniques" to aid in faster recovery and optimal performance while helping to minimise injuries.
These collaborations underscore the PPF's continued commitment to advancing pickleball in the Philippines, highlighting their focus on both performance gear and athlete well-being through these vital partnerships.
Dubai Crowned: Yadav, Huynh, Kapadia & Nunnery Dominate Finals at 2025 Pickleball Open
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – The Pickleball Open 2025 in Dubai wrapped up with thrilling pro finals on May 11, 2025, showcasing dominant performances from several players. Held from May 8 to May 11 at Pickleturf Dubai – Global Sports Arena, the tournament attracted players of all skill levels.
In the Women’s Singles Pro final, Mihika Yadav claimed victory, defeating Thaddea Lock in straight sets. The Men’s Singles Pro title went to Phuc Huynh, who also secured his win in straight sets against James Chaudry. The Men’s Doubles Pro final saw the team of Vanshik Kapadia and Rob Nunnery dominate, beating Himansh Mehta and Phuc Huynh in straight sets.
These victories highlight the growing presence of these players in the sport and underscore the rising popularity of pickleball in the region. The tournament provided a competitive environment and added to the sport’s global reach.
Deep in the Heart of Texas: MLP Austin Brings High Stakes, Heat, and Hometown Hopes
Austin, United States – Major League Pickleball (MLP) Austin is set to bring high-stakes competition to the Austin Pickle Ranch from May 23 to May 26, 2025. The event, played over four days culminating on Memorial Day, features several compelling storylines.
Key questions entering the tournament include whether any Premier team can navigate a difficult schedule to earn maximum standings points and if the hometown Texas Ranchers can leverage their home-court advantage and crowd support for multiple victories. The expected high temperatures, around 98 degrees, also pose a challenge, raising questions about which teams will thrive in the heat.
The tournament welcomes several Premier teams including the Dallas Flash, Miami Pickleball Club, New Jersey 5s, Orlando Squeeze, and the Texas Ranchers. All six Challenger teams are also set to debut their seasons in Austin. Marquee matchups are scheduled throughout the weekend, including the Texas Ranchers facing the Dallas Flash on Saturday, May 24th, and the New Jersey 5s battling the Dallas Flash in a 2024 MLP Finals rematch on Sunday, May 25th. The event concludes on Monday, May 26th, with the Texas Ranchers taking on the New Jersey 5s.
Shakeup on the Horizon: MLPA 2025 Mid-Season Shuffle Draft Details & Timeline Unveiled
Brisbane, Australia – Major League Pickleball Australia (MLPA) has announced the details and timeline for its 2025 mid-season Shuffle Draft. This mechanism allows teams a strategic opportunity to remix their line-ups for the second half of the season by dropping one player in exchange for an available player from the draft pool. The draft offers the potential to introduce fresh new talent or high-performing alternates to impact upcoming events.
The timeline for the shuffle draft is now clear. Applications for new players interested in applying for the draft pool opened earlier this month. The deadline for new applicants and existing alternate players to declare their interest is June 12, 2025. Team Captains must inform the Commissioner of any player they wish to place back into the pool by June 14, 2025.
The Shuffle Draft itself is scheduled for June 17, 2025. Teams that choose to drop a player will participate in a lottery to determine their picking order from the available pool, with lottery odds influenced by team placement and the rank of the player dropped. A Challenger Shuffle draft will follow the Premier draft.
From Wickets to Dink Shots: Cricket Stars Virat Kohli, Phil Salt & RCB Teammates Hit the Pickleball Court
Bengaluru, India – In a playful departure from their intense cricket training, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) players, including prominent figures like Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, recently took to the pickleball court. The unplanned game became the alternative activity when rain forced the cancellation of their practice session ahead of a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH).
RCB has enjoyed a successful IPL season, having already secured a playoff berth and currently sitting second in the points table. The franchise captured the lighthearted moment, sharing images and playfully dubbing the session "pickleball? More like giggle-ball!". The post highlighted the team's enjoyment, featuring "smashes, a little sass, and whole lotta squad vibes".
This instance serves as another example of pickleball's expanding reach and appeal, even attracting top athletes from established global sports like cricket. It offered fans a glimpse into the team's dynamic and how players find recreational outlets amidst a demanding schedule.
Canadian Showdown: Young Stars Emerge, Montreal Lions Dominate CNPL Central Split; Eastern Action Up Next
Canada – The 2025 Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) Central Split recently concluded, delivering an intense level of play and showcasing the sport's rapid growth across the country. Held over the weekend before enthusiastic fans, the event featured some of the best pickleball action seen in Canada.
A major highlight was the emergence of fresh young talent making their CNPL debuts, including players like Max Wild, Armaan Jiwa Mawji, Stevie Petropouleas, Jacob Bolkowy, Audrey Yeung, and Jada Bui. Their strong performances indicate they are future stars to watch.
Season 2 champions, the Montreal Lions, demonstrated complete dominance, winning all six of their matches. The Lions also featured Stevie Petropouleas, who became the youngest player in CNPL history. While the Lions stood out, all teams showed they could compete in many close matches, suggesting the race for this year's CNPL title is wide open.
Pickleball fans can look forward to the next event, the CNPL Eastern Split, scheduled for June 7-8, 2025, at the Royal Westcourt Social Club in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec. Matches will be available to watch live in person or via the official broadcaster, Game+ Network.