IPBL President Sameer Pathak: ‘Pickleball Can Become One of India's Top 3 Sports'

New Delhi, Dec 7: The inaugural season of the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) has generated unprecedented excitement in the national capital, marking the formal arrival of pickleball as one of India's

most promising emerging sports.

With packed stands, corporate interest, and a committed player base, the league's debut reflects a sport that is no longer on the fringes - it is ready for mainstream attention. At the heart of this transformation is Sameer Pathak, President of the Indian Pickleball League, who has played a pivotal role in shaping the league's identity and long-term vision.

Backed by the Times Group, the IPBL aims to do far more than simply stage a tournament. It seeks to create a structured ecosystem, inspire new players across age groups, and position pickleball as a dynamic, youth-friendly alternative in India's crowded sporting landscape. This blend of professional ambition and grassroots inclusivity has already set the league apart in its very first season.

In an exclusive interview with myKhel, Pathak shed light on the inspiration behind the league, the strategic blueprint adapted from his previous experiences, and the overwhelming support from partners, players and fans. He also shared candid personal anecdotes, leadership insights, and his belief that pickleball could soon be among India's most played sports.

'Pickleball Needed an Aspirational Platform'

Pathak began by explaining the explosive growth of pickleball in India and how that momentum demanded a professionally organised league. He noted that the sport has been expanding at an unprecedented pace, with new players entering every day and courts emerging across the country.

This organic rise created the perfect foundation for a national platform-one that could give Indian athletes something bigger to aspire to. "Pickleball is the fastest-growing game in the world, and in India. The number of players is rising by leaps and bounds. Our MD, Mr. Vineet Jain, envisioned an aspirational platform for the sport-and that's how the Indian Pickleball League was born," Pathak told myKhel.

He emphasised that without such a platform, the sport's growth would remain scattered. The IPBL, he said, gives it direction, purpose and visibility.

Learnings From the Global Chess League

Discussing his experience with the Global Chess League, Pathak explained that the operational principles of running a professional league apply across sports-even when the sports themselves are very different.

He highlighted that while chess is played on a table and pickleball on a court, the fundamentals of building a league-team ownership structures, player engagement, sponsor alignment, and broadcast strategy-remain consistent. This allowed the IPBL team to use proven frameworks while tailoring them to pickleball's unique character.

"While chess and pickleball are very different, the principles of running a league-teams, broadcasters, sponsors, players-remain the same. We used those learnings and adapted them for pickleball," he explained further.

These learnings helped the IPBL avoid the trial-and-error phase that many new leagues struggle with, giving it a polished start from Day 1.

Why Pickleball Is Growing So Fast in India

When asked what makes pickleball so appealing to millions of new players, Pathak elaborated on the sport's remarkable accessibility. He explained that unlike many technical sports that require early specialisation or expensive training, pickleball is easy for beginners and instantly enjoyable.

He pointed out that athletes from racket sports - badminton, tennis, table tennis or squash - find it especially intuitive, but even those with no sporting background can pick it up quickly, making it inclusive across ages.

Pathak stressed, "Anyone can pick it up-whether you come from badminton, TT, squash, tennis, or no sporting background at all. That's what makes its growth so fast in this country. "

This ease of entry, he added, is a key reason why pickleball courts are being rapidly added at clubs, societies, schools and recreational centres across India.

Corporate, Athlete and Partner Response Has Been 'Phenomenal'

Pathak described the response from team owners, players and sponsors as overwhelming-something even he did not fully anticipate for a first-year league.

He revealed that all teams were sold out quickly, and the IPBL already has a waiting list of interested owners for future seasons. Meanwhile, athletes across categories have been reaching out consistently, eager to be a part of the league ecosystem.

He went on elaborating, "We've sold out all our teams. There's already a queue for the next set. Players call every day wanting to join. Our partners - Adani, Delhi Tourism and others - have been fantastic. We're only going from strength to strength. "

He credited the Times Group's platform for helping the league gain instant credibility and widespread recognition.

What Sets IPBL Apart From Other Emerging Leagues

Pathak stressed that the IPBL stands out because of its strong structural foundation, powered by a major media organisation and supported by passionate stakeholders. He explained that many emerging leagues struggle with sustainability and visibility, but the IPBL is backed by resources, expertise and a long-term commitment that ensures stability.

"The league is backed by the Times Group, so visibility and profile are never in doubt. Combine that with one of the world's fastest-growing sports and highly motivated stakeholders, and there's no stopping IPBL," he emphasised. The league's professionalism, he added, is its biggest differentiator.

Involving Schools and Youth: A Key Priority

Pathak highlighted that for the sport to grow meaningfully, it must connect with young India. To achieve this, IPBL has put in place initiatives designed to directly engage students.

He outlined a unique school outreach programme where hundreds of children are invited every day to watch live matches, interact with players and experience the sport's energy.

Highlighting the importance of inspiring kids, he said, "We are inviting about 500 school children every day to watch the league, enjoy, and meet players. University students are already coming. It's a great opportunity to inspire young India. "

This is part of a wider effort to build a grassroots pipeline that can eventually feed into competitive pathways.

Success Metrics for Season One

Pathak explained that the IPBL's first success metric was simply execution-bringing together franchises, athletes, sponsors and operations to deliver India's first official pickleball league.

Now that the league is running smoothly, the evaluation moves to measurable parameters such as viewer engagement, sponsor ROI, and feedback from teams and players. He added further, "Now it's about engagement-viewership, sponsor interest, and feedback from team owners and players. " He claimed that growth in digital audiences would play a major role in defining the league's trajectory.

'Pickleball Could Be India's Top 2-3 Sport'

When asked about the sport's long-term future, Pathak offered an ambitious yet confident projection. He noted that the conversion of existing badminton and tennis courts into pickleball courts is a major signal that infrastructure is growing faster than expected. This, combined with rising player participation and community leagues, positions pickleball for exponential growth.

Emphasising India is looking at a major sporting shift, he said, "It has the potential to be one of India's top two or three sports in the coming years. Courts are being created everywhere. The baseline is already set. "

Pathak's First Experience With Pickleball

Pathak also shared a personal anecdote, recalling the first time he played pickleball-an experience that started with multiple defeats but sparked his long-term interest. "I played about a year and a half ago. I lost the first three times! The fourth time I finally won. It looks easy, but it isn't-especially when you play former tennis players," he claimed. This early challenge, he said, made the sport even more addictive for him.

Describing Pickleball in One Word

When asked to sum up pickleball in one word, Pathak chose a phrase that reflects the sport's holistic benefits: "Healthy lifestyle. " He added that the sport fits naturally into urban routines and should be part of everyday fitness culture in India.

Leadership Lessons From Sport

Pathak, who has worked across multiple sports at the highest administrative levels, spoke passionately about the leadership lessons sport teaches. He stressed sport shapes mental strength, teamwork and discipline, and explained why athletes and coaches often become respected leaders beyond the sporting world.

"Sport is a university of leadership. You learn discipline, resilience, teamwork, individual mental strength. Working with top players across sports teaches you so much. " These lessons, he added, influence every decision he makes professionally.

The Moment He Cherishes Most

In a reflective closing, Pathak revealed the moment that gives him the deepest sense of satisfaction during any sporting event. He said, "The first point of any tournament. You work for months for that one moment. When that point is scored, the tournament truly begins. I always watch it quietly from the corner. "

For him, it is a symbolic start-the point where planning transforms into action.