By Rahul Sadhu

Copyright timesnownews

For Alan Joseph Healy, founder of Padel India, the journey into the country’s emerging padel scene began with a simple belief — Indians will love this sport. “What connects paddle — and that too, in India? Actually, I moved to India three years ago. Prior to that, I was a partner in a paddle company in the UK, which Andy Murray is involved with. That’s where I developed my interest in the business side of paddle,” Healy recalled in a chat with Times Now. Having played the sport for a decade, Healy saw an untapped opportunity the moment he arrived. “I started playing about ten years ago, and when I came to India, I saw an opportunity. Indians overseas already love this sport, so I thought Indians in India would love it too. I just went about building a paddle business and here we are today,” he said. Healy, who co-founded Padel India to introduce professional infrastructure and grassroots awareness around the sport, believes India’s mix of young urban athletes and accessible leisure culture makes it ideal for padel’s growth. From multi-sport clubs in Mumbai and Delhi to corporate leagues and resort tie-ups, the expansion is picking up pace. Healy sees the next few years as pivotal. “Something I’m really interested to know is what connects me?” he said. With rising global recognition and support from players like Andy Murray, Healy’s vision for India is clear: to make padel as familiar as tennis or badminton and just as competitive. About Indian Pickleball Association: The Indian Pickleball Association is the official governing body for pickleball in India and is dedicated to promoting, developing, and organising the sport across the country. The association continues to inspire players of all ages and skill levels to embrace the game through events like the IPA Nationals. IPA is affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF). About Pickleball World Ranking: PWR is a national ranking system that spans all age groups, skill divisions, and formats -including singles, doubles, and mixed categories. It serves as the official National Sports Federation Ranking for India. With multiple sanctioned events taking place every week across the country, PWR defines the top Indian players at every level and forms the foundation for team selection at the school, district, state, and national stages. Stay connected with all the latest news on Pickleball, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, tips, and inspiration you won’t find anywhere else. Your ultimate destination for all things pickleball – where the community comes together for news, views, and the sport that’s sweeping the globe. Follow us at @pickleballnow on Instagram and be part of the community!