Copyright timesnownews
Not long ago, pickleball was another pastime for many before it became the fastest-growing sport in India. But it wasn't just some kind of a hobby for the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) President, Suryaveer Singh Bhullar. It went far beyond the rallies, points, and scores. He saw what very few saw; fewer dreamt of, and now has turned into a countrywide movement that everyone wants to be a part of. As the whole nation gears up to converge in Bengaluru for the IPA Nationals 2025 from November 13 to 16 at The Sports School, Kanakapura, Bhullar can afford a rare pause to look back at the resilience, sweat, and unshakable belief that brought him here. Maybe, just this once, he can smile and allow himself a pat on the back. Because sometimes, in the rush to build and achieve, we forget to pause and appreciate our own journey. And it’s those small acknowledgements that often fuel the next leap forward. Because for him, it isn't just any other tournament, but a culmination of a vision he saw years ago. "This phase is huge! We're not just a fun activity anymore; we are becoming a serious, properly organised sport. We've moved from just a few people playing for fun to having a real system in place. When I look back, I want people to remember my time as the point where we truly created the first generation of Indian Pickleball Champions. We are setting the standard for how good Indian players should be, and future players will look at us and say, 'That's when it all started,'" he told Pickleball Now in an exclusive interaction. With more states stepping up to host major tournaments like Karnataka, the IPA President believes that it is a fantastic sign and augurs well for the sport in the country. "This is a fantastic sign, but trust me, it’s just the start! We need every part of India involved to find the best talent. The fact that states like Karnataka are hosting big events proves that the whole country is ready to play. My goal is to make India the next global powerhouse for pickleball, and you can't do that with just a few big events. We are building a massive, nationwide competition schedule to make sure we find and train future world champions," he said. The challenge for emerging sports often lies in consistency after visibility, but Bhullar, who won gold in the 50+ Men’s Doubles (4.5) at the recently concluded Pickleball World Cup, believes that the association already has a blueprint to convert post-tournament energy into year-round engagement "We know that after a big tournament, the excitement can die down. To stop that, we are doing two main things: Keep it local and cheap. We are focused on making sure it’s always easy and affordable for people to play and join local events, especially for kids and families. Give them a score to chase. We are using global ranking systems, like having a permanent world score for all our players. This means every game you play matters, and your ranking is always on your mind. This simple score gives everyone a reason to practice and compete all year long," he revealed. Having finished seventh in the medal tally at the Pickleball World Cup, India have already announced itself to the world that they are not here just to make up numbers, but to compete and win. Being the only Asian country to have finished in the top 10, Bhullar's vision of seeing India as a force to be reckoned with on the global stage is already taking shape, and the IPA already has its eyes set on the next mission. "My definition of success is seeing India feared on the international pickleball stage. It’s more than just a few medals. It means we consistently have players who can win big matches globally. We've built a system that finds talent everywhere in India, and not just in the big cities. We're so respected that we can host major international championships, like the Asia Cup, right here in India. We want to be known as one of the best countries in the world, not just for playing, but for how we run the sport," the IPA President revealed. Pickleball is at an inflection point between being a community-driven sport and becoming a commercially viable one, and IPA has already hit the sweet spot in striking the perfect balance. "This is about using the money we make to help the community. The heart of pickleball is that anyone can play it. We won't lose that. The big commercial leagues, like the IPBL, bring in money and attention. That's where we get the sponsorships and the media coverage. We then take that money and put it right back into the local level—funding courts, training coaches, and keeping our local tournaments cheap and accessible. We use the "Pro" side to pay for the "community" side, ensuring the sport stays authentic and open to everyone," he concluded. 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 also 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. 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