Pune Hosts Major Pickleball Tournament, Showcasing Emerging Talent

The recent Picklebay Zonals - West in Pune marked a significant milestone for pickleball in India, showcasing top talent and promoting the sport's growth. Co-founder Shyamal Upadhyay emphasized the importance of such events in nurturing new players and establishing Pune as a key location for pickleball. With a substantial prize pool and strong participation, the tournament highlighted the increasing professionalism of the sport. The Indian Pickleball Association continues to play a vital role in developing the game across the country, inspiring players of all ages. This event not only celebrates the sport but also aims to inspire the next generation of pickleball enthusiasts.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 18, 2026, 15:41 IST

Pune's Pickleball Tournament Highlights Growth of the Sport

Shyamal Upadhyay, one of the co-founders of Dink, shared insights into the motivation behind hosting one of India's largest pickleball tournaments in Pune. The event, known as the Picklebay Zonals - West, concluded with a display of exceptional talent from across the nation. In an interview with Pickleball Now, Upadhyay expressed, "Our goal was straightforward. Pune had not witnessed a tournament of this magnitude in the last year and a half to two years since the sport gained popularity. We aimed to bring this experience to the city and encourage more players to emerge from this event."

He emphasized the importance of such tournaments in fostering competitive play and discovering new talent. "We wanted to provide players in Pune with the chance to participate in a large-scale tournament and motivate the next generation of pickleball enthusiasts," he added. The event illustrated the increasing professionalism and popularity of pickleball in India. With well-organized formats, high-quality courts, and robust participation from both novice and seasoned players, the Picklebay Zonals - West showcased the sport's expansion beyond major urban centers.

The organizers are optimistic that this tournament will cultivate new talent in Pune and firmly establish the city on India's pickleball map. The successful five-day event underscored the rapid growth of the sport and the rising number of committed players nationwide, featuring a prize pool of Rs 15 lakh.

About the Indian Pickleball Association: The Indian Pickleball Association serves as the official governing body for the sport in India, focusing on its promotion, development, and organization throughout the country. The association aims to inspire players of all ages and skill levels to engage with the game through events like the IPA Nationals. It is affiliated with both the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF).

About Pickleball World Ranking: The Pickleball World Ranking (PWR) is a national ranking system that encompasses all age groups, skill levels, and formats, including singles, doubles, and mixed categories. It acts as the official National Sports Federation Ranking for India. With numerous sanctioned events occurring weekly across the country, PWR identifies the top Indian players at every level and lays the groundwork for team selection at school, district, state, and national levels.

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