ALL SET FOR PICKLEBALL LEAGUE

OVER the past couple of years, pickleball has become one of the fastestgrowing sports in the world.

- GOMESH S

Often explained as a hybrid of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, the sport is played on a badminton-sized court with a lowered net by players from all age groups.

From school kids to retired professionals, people are taking to pickleball for various reasons and the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) is doing their bidding in promoting the sport, especially with the possibility of pickleball being included in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

The latest buzz in the sport is the emergence of the World Pickleball League (WPBL).

Owned by Natekar Sports and Gaming, WPBL is officially recognised by the AIPA and the owners have been given the green light by the national governing body to conduct the league.

The inaugural season of the league that is aiming to have six franchises is expected to happen in Mumbai from early next year. Last week, at an event in Mumbai, the WPBL announced that the team based out of Chennai will be owned by actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu.