As the Picklebay Zonals – North gathers India’s leading players in Gurgaon for the senior selection trials ahead of the Pickleball World Cup, Indian Pickleball Association Director and Gujarat State Pickleball Association Secretary Aalap Sharma believes the country’s next generation has already begun announcing itself on the international stage.
Speaking on the rise of young stars, Sharma said players such as Arjun Singh have already shown that Indian pickleball is ready to challenge the world’s best.
“The names you mentioned are actually the stars of Indian pickleball. They are the future of Indian pickleball, and we can confidently say that they have arrived on the world stage,” Sharma told Pickleball Now.
According to Sharma, Indian pickleball is only beginning its growth story.
“We are just getting started. We are very sure that in the coming years we will see many more talented players emerge, and perhaps even better players who will compete with the very best in the world.”
Sharma also teased a major announcement from the Indian Pickleball Association, while keeping the details under wraps.
“There is going to be a big reveal tomorrow. To find out what it is, you’ll have to stay tuned to this channel.”
“It’s going to be massive.”
The Picklebay Zonals – North carries added significance this year as it doubles as the senior selection trials for the Pickleball World Cup, scheduled to be held in Da Nang from August 30 to September 6. Looking back at India’s previous campaign, Sharma acknowledged the achievement while making it clear that the federation wants more.
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“We were the only Asian country to finish inside the top 10, ending up seventh. It was a good achievement, but we were not satisfied.”
He revealed that the federation’s preparations are now centered on improving physical standards alongside technical ability.
“This time, we have a lot more plans. Our focus is on fitness and mindset. Everyone has the skills, but our primary focus is fitness because Indian players need to improve in that area.”
Sharma also outlined India’s ambitions for the upcoming World Cup.
“We are hoping for a better result, hopefully winning more gold medals and converting last year’s team event bronze into a gold this year,” 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 organizing 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.
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