IPA to select Indian Sub Junior and Juniors team for upcoming Pickleball World Cup 2026
Ahmedabad, May 21
The Indian Pickleball Association, the recognised National Sports Federation for Pickleball under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the Sports Authority of India, is all set to host the best juniors from across the country to represent India in the upcoming Pickleball World Cup 2026 that will be held in Vietnam at the end of the year.
"The Junior squad for the Indian Pickleball contingent is extremely vital as it determines the players that will represent India on the global stage for many years to come. These are the players who will potentially one day compete at the major global events once pickleball officially enters those events as well. The World Cup is the perfect starting point for the young talent across India to showcase their skills or compete alongside the best junior talent in the world," said Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, President, Indian Pickleball Association," according to a press release from IPA.
The three-day trials (12-14th June 2026) that will be held in Ahmedabad will determine the junior squad that will represent India in the third edition of the Pickleball World Cup, sanctioned by the Global Pickleball Federation, to be held in Vietnam from August 30 till the 9th of September 2026.
Notable names that will be part of the trials include Arjun Singh, who recently won 3 medals at the US Open in both singles and doubles, Naomi Amalsadiwala, one of India's rising stars in the open category as well, Panth Thakkar, who won bronze at the US Open in the doubles category, Purvansh Patel, Anoushka Chabbria, Veer Shah & Dev Shah are amongst other names will be competing for the spot in the Indian team.
The selection committee for the trials include Aalap Sharma, Dhiren Patel, Mohit Kumar, Atul Edward and IPA CEO, Aditya Khanna. Over 100 players from across the country, including Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Assam, Rajasthan, Odisha, Haryana, and Gujarat, are competing for a chance to represent India in the U14 and U18 categories at the World Cup.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great to see the Indian Pickleball Association taking proactive steps to build a strong junior squad. But I hope the selection process will be transparent and purely merit-based, especially since there's a lot of buzz around these young talents. No room for favoritism.
Absolutely phenomenal to see players from states like Assam, Odisha, and West Bengal competing alongside the usual contenders. This is how we build a truly national sporting culture. The US Open medals are just the beginning—mark my words, this squad will make India proud in Vietnam!
Naive question: Why is this being held in Ahmedabad only? For a national trial, shouldn't there be regional zonal trials to give more talent a fair chance? Many players from smaller towns might not afford to travel to Gujarat. But happy to see pickleball getting recognition 😊
Finally some structured development for a sport that's been growing silently in our country. Naomi Amalsadiwala and Panth Thakkar are names to watch out for. The World Cup in Vietnam will be a great test for our junior talent. Best of luck to all participants! 🤞
Wonderful initiative! As someone who follows international pickleball, India is rapidly becoming a force to reckon with. The mix of experience from US Open champions and fresh talent from across states is a winning combination. Little envious of Ahmedabad—they get to host such an exciting event!
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