Pickleball popularity explodes! Tamil Nadu's Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin announces exclusive Pickleball courts across state

Indian Pickleball League: Pickleball popularity is exploding! Tamil Nadu has now announced to set up exclusive pickleball courts across the state. Announcing the move on Tuesday (Nov 18), state's Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said that the specialised spaces will serve as vibrant hubs for athletes and enthusiasts.Udhayanidhi said that the exclusive pickleball courts across the state will help communities to gather, compete and celebrate the spirit of the sport. “Pickleball game welcomes people across age groups and backgrounds. Its popularity across the world reflects its universal appeal. Tamil Nadu is a vibrant state in sports development and has conducted several national and international events. I am happy to see this initiative takes place for the first time in Chennai,” Udhayanidhi said.Udhayanidhi, who is son of Chief Minister MK Stalin and the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamil Nadu, said that the state is building a strong decentralised modern sports ecosystem under the "leadership of MK Stalin". "Initiatives like these play a powerful role in inspiring young talents and strengthening India’s presence on an international sporting stage,” he said, adding that the first ever pickleball premier league was organised in 2024 by the Tamil Nadu Pickleball Association. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pickleball Now (@pickleballnow.in)“As part of the ongoing initiatives at Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) we are in the process of setting up dedicated pickleball courts in Chennai and across Tamil Nadu,” Udhayanidhi said.Indian Pickleball League 2025The Deputy CM made the comments while delivering his address at the introduction of various franchisees for the first edition of the Indian Pickleball League. Indian Pickleball League is scheduled to be held next month, in Delhi. with five teams taking part. The five teams are: Mumbai Smashers, Hyderabad Royals, Bengaluru Blasters, Chennai Super Warriors and Capital Warriors, Gurgaon.The sporting extravaganza will commence on December 1 and conclude on December 7.Times Group MD Vineet Jain SpeaksTimes Group MD Vineet Jain, said that what began as a vision between the Times Group and the Indian Pickleball Association has now grown into a movement. "A movement that attracts passionate forward thinking partners who share our belief in the power and the potential of this sport,” he said.“This afternoon, we unveiled the pioneering team owners of the Season 1 of the Indian Pickleball League, the India’s first and official league of the sport. The interest (For the game) has been overwhelming. But for us, it was never about just investors it was about finding believers, who stand alongside partners who truly understand what it takes — Vision, Commitment and Heart,” Jain said.“To each one of our new team owners, welcome to the family. Thank you for the trust, passion and partnership,” he added.The Indian Pickleball League is an initiative launched by the Times Group and sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association, recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h79pR3ZfyoI