Copyright timesnownews
Pickleball in Maharashtra is no longer just a recreational pastime - it's evolving into a vibrant culture that is reshaping sports engagement across the state. With the Maharashtra State Selection Trials currently underway at the Global Sports TSG Pickleball Centre in Mumbai, players are vying for a chance to represent the state at the upcoming IPA Nationals 2025, scheduled in Bengaluru from November 13-16. Kiran Salian, a passionate player, told Pickleball Now in an interview: “I’ve been playing since four and a half years, that’s after lockdown, and still continuing, and it’s an awesome game. Everyone should play — even you should play.” His enthusiasm captures the spirit that is fueling pickleball’s rise in Mumbai and beyond. Sachin Jain elaborates on the appeal and potential of the game: “So it’s still a recreational game for a lot of people, and I would advise a lot of rec players to take formal coaching and up their game, because after a point, you reach a saturation. If you want to compete at the highest level, you need your basics to be right. But yeah, nevertheless, it’s a good recreation game, good culturally, blending with people, good for socializing, and it keeps you mobile, fit, and agile on the court.” Jain also stressed on the hidden reservoirs of talent the state possesses. “A lot of these pro players from Maharashtra come from areas like Jalgaon and interiors of Maharashtra. There’s a bunch of hidden talent there. The associations are doing a great job reaching out to these areas, holding tournaments, and bringing these talents to Mumbai. This is a good platform, and people from other sports like badminton and tennis also find career opportunities here, especially with so many leagues coming in. Down the line, it’ll only get better," said Jain. Focus on holistic growth at grassroots Sachin Manjrekar, Committee Member of the Maharashtra Pickleball Association, reflects on the state’s explosive growth: “Earlier, we had hardly 100–200 players in Mumbai. Now, we are having almost more than 1,000 players in the city itself. Across India, the numbers are growing rapidly. People of all ages are playing — men, women, kids, even 60-plus and sometimes 70-plus players.” Manjrekar emphasises that while pickleball can be injury-prone, proper training and exercise make it accessible and safe for many: “As a Maharashtra State Pickleball Association, we are trying to build up this sport at state, school, and district levels. It will take time, but surely it will happen.” From casual enthusiasts like Kiran Salian to competitive players aiming for national glory, Maharashtra’s pickleball scene is thriving. With growing infrastructure, state-level trials, and increasing participation, the sport is set to become a lasting fixture in the state’s vibrant sporting culture.
