Manijeh Kargahi: How Pickleball Enhances Her Global Travels

Manijeh Kargahi, a passionate traveler and pickleball enthusiast, shares her experiences of connecting with communities around the world through the sport. From her first encounter in Colombia to competing in Kolkata, Kargahi highlights how pickleball has enriched her travels, allowing her to forge friendships and create lasting memories. With a growing global network of players, she emphasizes the unique accessibility of the sport, making it easy for travelers to engage with local communities. Her journey illustrates that in pickleball, the adventure often extends beyond the game itself.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 7, 2026, 11:23 IST

Travel and Pickleball: A Unique Connection

For Manijeh Kargahi, the thrill of travel has always taken precedence, with pickleball becoming a delightful addition to her journeys. Originally from the United States and currently residing in Madrid, Kargahi spends a significant portion of her year exploring various countries. Recently, she has found that pickleball enhances her travel experiences. “When I travel alone, pickleball makes it easier to connect with others. You arrive, start playing, and suddenly you’re part of a community,” she shared during an interview at the Kolkata Open.

This trend has been evident across different continents. Kargahi first encountered pickleball while visiting Colombia after trying padel in Spain. “In Medellin, I discovered a group playing pickleball. I fell in love with it, even more than padel. I ended up staying for a month, playing four times a week, and I was hooked,” she recounted.

Pickleball quickly became a staple in her life. After playing in Mexico and returning to the U.S., she introduced the sport to her family in Washington State, where it originated. “Now, they’re all addicted to it,” she said. Back in Spain, her preference shifted entirely. “I lost interest in padel; all I wanted was to play pickleball.”

What started as a casual hobby evolved into a significant part of her travels. She entered her first tournament in Madrid almost by chance. “I usually don’t participate in tournaments, but after trying one, I began traveling around Europe to play more. I got hooked,” she explained. Despite her passion, she doesn’t consider herself a full-time player due to her constant travels. “I can’t train regularly since I’m always on the move,” she added.

Throughout her travels, one aspect has remained constant: the ease of finding a pickleball community. “Almost every country is either already playing or starting to play pickleball. Australia is thriving, and England and Spain are on the rise. Even Hungary and the Czech Republic have tournaments,” she noted. The sport’s reach extends beyond traditional sporting nations. “I’ve seen pickleball emerging in Iran and Iraq, with local players getting involved. That was truly special,” she remarked.

Kolkata has been a significant stop on her journey, not just as a tournament location. During her month in the city, Kargahi connected with around 100 players, describing the community as amazing. “I’ve been here for about a month, and I probably know around 100 players. It’s an amazing community,” she said.

This accessibility is what distinguishes pickleball. Unlike more formal sports, it allows players to integrate into local scenes effortlessly. Courts are available, formats are adaptable, and players of all skill levels share the space. This openness removes barriers for traveling players.

At the Kolkata Open, this integration led to competition. Kargahi teamed up with Sahotra Sengupta for the intermediate mixed doubles, a partnership formed just days before the event. “We decided to team up about a week prior and practiced only twice. We had no expectations,” she said. “Even in the semi-finals, we were the underdogs, but we played freely and won.” They ultimately reached the finals and secured a silver medal. While the outcome was unexpected, the experience was what mattered most. “Winning silver here is a fantastic memory. It’s a better souvenir than a magnet,” she expressed.

This sentiment encapsulates Kargahi’s journey. For her, each city is not merely a destination but part of a growing network linked by pickleball courts and players. The sport has fostered an informal global circuit connecting cities like Medellin, Madrid, and now Kolkata.

While she doesn’t see pickleball replacing her travels, it has become an integral part of them. “Travel is my top priority, but pickleball is a close second. I want to keep exploring the world and discovering pickleball wherever I go,” she stated. With around 130 countries already visited, she plans to continue both pursuits. “I can travel anywhere and find pickleball,” she added.

For cities like Kolkata, this is significant. As tournaments expand and local communities grow, they are starting to appear on the unofficial pickleball map. These are places where players arrive as strangers and leave with much more than just a result. In pickleball, the journey often extends beyond the match.