Having played tennis in Europe, Australia, the United States and parts of the Middle East, Manijeh Kargahi did not anticipate Kolkata to make such a deep impression.
The Madrid-based player, who has been through around 130 countries and discovered pickleball during a trip to Colombia, spent nearly a month in Kolkata earlier this year before heading back to Europe. What she found was a pickleball community that, although relatively young, already has the passion and enthusiasm of much more established markets.
A Growing Scene That Surprised Her
“My understanding is that pickleball in Kolkata only really started growing a couple of years ago. I had heard that cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Gujarat were more developed because they had been playing for six or seven years. But I was pleasantly surprised by how strong the scene was in Kolkata despite its relatively short history,” Kargahi said in an exclusive chat with Pickleball Now.
“There was a lot of interest, a lot of places to play and a good mix of indoor and outdoor courts across different parts of the city. What stood out was how many people were already completely addicted to the sport. It was very easy for me to find people who wanted to play. Some could only play in the evenings after work, while others were available in the mornings when the weather was a little more comfortable. The scene is growing rapidly, and from what I experienced firsthand, it was fantastic. I loved it,” she said.
Kargahi also competed at the Kolkata Open, where she won a silver medal in intermediate mixed doubles. While the result was memorable, the atmosphere around the tournament was what caught her attention.
‘On Par With Any Tournament In Europe’
“The tournament itself was exceptional. I thought Kendra and his team did a great job organizing it. I had played at Sportsplex several times before the tournament, and I was amazed by the transformation they had created. Earlier, large divider nets hung from the ceiling between courts, which made the venue feel separated. For the tournament, they removed those nets, opened up the entire space and added sponsor displays around the venue,” Kargahi said.
“Suddenly, all six courts felt connected. People could move around, watch matches and support players much more easily. The atmosphere changed completely. I remember playing my semi-final and being amazed by how many people had gathered to watch. We were the underdogs and expected to lose, but there were so many spectators cheering us on. There was a great energy throughout the event. Honestly, it felt on par with any tournament I have played in Europe,” she said.
Why Kolkata Reminds Her Of Established Markets
Having played in multiple countries, Kargahi believes Kolkata is closer to established pickleball markets than many might think. “I feel India is already on the more established side of the pickleball journey. Even Kolkata, despite only playing for two or three years, felt more established than I expected. There were numerous WhatsApp groups and communities where players organized games at different venues throughout the week. It was easy to find sessions in the mornings, evenings or weekends,” she said.
“I don’t think Kolkata is very far behind Madrid. The biggest difference is that Madrid has more structured clubs. There are four or five major pickleball clubs where people become members, pay fees, represent their clubs in tournaments and participate in organized weekly events. In Kolkata, it felt more community-driven. Friends create groups, coaches build communities and people organize games themselves. But I think it’s only a matter of time before more formal club structures emerge there as well,” she said.
Hospitality That Stands Out Globally
What stood out most, however, was the city’s hospitality. “I would place Kolkata right up there with anywhere I have played, whether that’s Australia, Europe or the United States. The passion for pickleball is definitely among the highest I’ve experienced. Hospitality was also exceptional,” Kargahi said.
“I would probably even rank Kolkata above England in terms of hospitality. England has a very strong level of play, but I don’t think the hospitality compares. In Kolkata, people were incredibly welcoming. I arrived as a complete stranger and spent a month there, but everybody was kind, supportive and eager to include me. The warmth of the community really stood out, and I had an amazing experience,” she said.
The Missing Piece: More Senior Players
There was one area where she felt Kolkata still trails some of the sport’s more mature markets. “One thing I noticed is that Kolkata doesn’t yet have many older players, especially older women. In Spain, England and the United States, tournaments regularly feature 50+, 60+ and even 70+ categories for men, women and mixed doubles. In Kolkata, there was a 50+ men’s category, but there weren’t enough older female players to support women’s doubles or mixed doubles divisions,” Kargahi said.
“That was one clear difference. I would have loved to compete in age-group categories because, being over 50 myself, it’s obviously more difficult playing against players in their twenties and thirties,” she said.
What Kolkata Could Look Like In Five Years
Despite that, she believes Kolkata’s future is bright. “If I came back in three to five years, I would expect to see more structured clubs similar to those in Madrid. I would also expect more open-play or drop-in sessions where players of all levels can simply show up, rotate partners and play together. It’s a great way to grow the community and meet new players,” Kargahi said.
“I also think technology will become more important. I would expect to see apps that help players organize games, find partners and connect with others at a similar skill level. As the player base grows, I think Kolkata will naturally move in that direction as well,” she said.
One Sentence That Sums Up Kolkata Pickleball
Asked to describe the city’s pickleball scene in a single sentence, Kargahi did not hesitate. “I would describe it as an amazing and rapidly growing community with a high playing level already and enormous potential,” she said.
