Coimbatore's Growing Pickleball Scene: A New Era of Sports

The CaP's Pickleball Championship - 1.0 in Coimbatore highlighted the city's vibrant pickleball community and the efforts of local pioneers like Dr. Charanya Anbuselvan and S. Arun Prashant. With a dedicated training facility now in place, the region is set to nurture young talent and expand the sport's reach. Inspired by her daughter’s achievements, Dr. Charanya aims to make pickleball accessible to more children, fostering a new generation of players. This article explores the growth of pickleball in Coimbatore and the exciting future ahead.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 27, 2026, 10:54 IST

A Thriving Pickleball Community in Coimbatore

The recently concluded CaP's Pickleball Championship - 1.0, which took place from April 24 to 26 in Coimbatore, showcased the city's burgeoning pickleball community and the sport's evolving dynamics. Dr. Charanya Anbuselvan and S. Arun Prashant have been pivotal in recognizing and nurturing the potential of pickleball in this region of Tamil Nadu. The state has made significant strides in the national pickleball circuit, with Chennai emerging as a key hub for the sport in South India. However, players from Coimbatore, a city known for its textile and engineering industries, often had to travel a considerable distance (over 1000 km round trip) to access training facilities in the state capital.

Despite the rapid growth of pickleball in Coimbatore, which had already hosted two PWR 200 events prior to this championship, the demand for a dedicated training academy remained unmet. Inconsistent training can hinder players' progress, prompting Dr. Charanya and Arun to establish the CaP's Centre of Advanced Pickleball. This facility is now attracting players not just from Coimbatore but also from nearby districts like Erode, Tirupur, and Salem.

Dr. Charanya, a 41-year-old pediatrician and national-level pickleball player, was inspired to promote the sport by her daughter, Aashrithaa, who has shown remarkable talent. Aashrithaa led Tamil Nadu to victory in the Under-14 girls’ category at the IPA Nationals in Bengaluru last year and secured multiple titles at the Tamil Nadu State Championships. Dr. Charanya was introduced to pickleball by her sister, Dr. Kavya Somesh, the secretary of the Tamil Nadu Pickleball Association, in 2023. Following her training in Chennai, the need for a local facility became evident as the sport gained popularity in Coimbatore. Consequently, the CaP's Centre for Advanced Pickleball was inaugurated in February 2026, hosting one of the largest pickleball tournaments in the region, sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association, and attracting 150 players statewide.

"We are thrilled to host the third PWR 200 event in Coimbatore," Dr. Charanya expressed. Arun, a former tennis player, added, "The atmosphere was fantastic, with high-intensity matches, and we had a wonderful experience organizing this tournament. Players from Erode, Tirupur, Salem, and Chennai participated, leading to very competitive matches that everyone enjoyed."

Dr. Charanya shared the story of the CaP's Centre for Advanced Pickleball, stating, "We opened just three months ago, and we are excited about our progress." Their current goal is to expand coaching opportunities for children. "My daughter is a national-level player and has recently won three medals, which inspired the establishment of CAPS. We are also initiating coaching programs for kids to broaden the reach of pickleball," Dr. Charanya noted. "We have just begun our journey, having opened the first pickleball court in Coimbatore three months ago, thanks to my sister's introduction to the sport. Now, over a thousand players are engaged, and we aim to reach even more districts." Arun added, "We want as many children as possible to start playing pickleball and look forward to hosting more PWR tournaments in the future," concluded Dr. Charanya.