Adventure & Wildlife Magazine - Vol 1|Issue 5-6| Nov 16 - Jan 17 Vol 1|Issue 5-6| Nov 16 - Jan 17 | Página 97

PickleBall
ADVENTURE & WILDLIFE
Atul Edward
W
ell the name may not ring a bell, but it sure is an thus making it perfect for community building and
intriguing name for a fairly new international getting the whole family involved. Pickleball is a super
sport to hit the Indian shores.
fun way to keep fit. It improves hand eye co ordination.
It helps you to feel better mentally and physically, thus
Pickleball originated in the mid 1960’s on the boosting self confidence and burning calories in a
Brainsbridge Island of the coast of Seattle. It was started fun and interactive way.
as a simple family sport to keep the family entertained
during the summer months, make shift wooden paddles Pickleball hit the Indian shores around 7 years ago by
were made, a hard wiffle ball was taken, lines drawn to a gentleman Mr Sunil Valawakar who later went on to
mark a court and a net was put up and the rest is history. form the AIPA ( All India Pickleball Association ). The
first few were formative years but the last couple of years
Legend has it that Pickleball got its name as their pet they have been doing vast work in promoting the sport at
family dog “Pickles” kept running after the ball and thus a grass root level.
the name stuck. A more logical explanation would be
that Pickleball is an amalgamation of three sports namely Pickleball in USA has made huge progress with a
tennis, badminton and table tennis.
magnitude of tournaments-clubs and Pickleball
facilities to promote this adrenaline fuelled sport. Europe
Pickleball has gained prominence in the last 10 years. too is not far behind and has jumped on to the Pickleball
America being the leader with associations, like USAPA band wagon with regular international tournaments in
and IFP setting standards and guidelines for the world to Amsterdam, Madrid, UK and Finland. It is safe to say
follow.
that Pickleball today is one of the fastest growing sports
in the world.
Pickle ball combines the elements of tennis played on
badminton sized court with the net bought down to the ABOUT MYSELF
tennis net height and the paddles are the double the size Personally my Pickleball journey started 3 years ago.
of a table tennis racket.
It came to me naturally as I was already an established
sportsman, making the transition rather smooth. In the
BENEFITS OF PICKLEBALL –
3 years I have played multiple international tournaments
Pickleball’s USP and popularity lies in the fact that it and am the current National champion. My current
is a sport that can be enjoyed across all ages from 8 to partner Manish Rao and I (Atul Edward ) are the only
80. It’s an easy sport to learn. The equipment is rather Indians to play professionally and have been sponsored
inexpensive and the games are highly interactive, by Pickleball giants PROLITE of USA.
Vol 1|Issue 5-6|Nov 16 - Jan 17
97