ITV

Tag: Pickleball

  • Phorce Club joins forces with Cheteshwar Pujara to popularise Pickleball in India

    Phorce Club joins forces with Cheteshwar Pujara to popularise Pickleball in India

    MUMBAI: Phorce Club, a pioneering company building the Pickleball ecosystem in India, has appointed former Indian cricket stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara as its brand ambassador.

    As Pickleball rapidly emerges as one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, Phorce Club aims to lead its adoption nationwide. Pujara, known for his focus, discipline, and consistency on the cricket field, embodies the qualities the brand seeks to inspire across households, combining professional grit with everyday fitness.

    Phorce Club operates across the full spectrum of the sport, from designing and manufacturing equipment, to developing accessible Pickleball courts, and organising national tournaments and leagues to foster skill, engagement, and community. The company is led by founders Sujay Jairaj, Premal Shah, and Heman Ajmera, whose combined expertise drives grassroots participation, business foresight, and strategic sustainability.

    Phorce Club, co-founder, Premal Shah, said, “Sport is more than fitness; it is a pathway to resilience, community, and collective growth. Cheteshwar Pujara embodies the Phorce mindset: focus, determination, and strength. With his support, we aim to take Pickleball beyond recreation and inspire every Indian to embrace both physical vitality and mental resilience.”

    “The brand’s philosophy resonates deeply with me, true strength lies in persistence, focus, and collective growth. I’m delighted to be associated with Phorce Club. Together, we want to encourage people across India to push their boundaries and discover the Phorce within,” Pujara added.

    Phorce Club plans to roll out nationwide campaigns, community-building initiatives, motivational content series, and Phorce Clubs in major cities, serving as hubs for fitness, recreation, and networking. Partnerships with schools and NGOs will expand Pickleball access to underprivileged children, reflecting the brand’s belief that sport is both a right and a catalyst for empowerment.

     

  • Pickleball goes big: Indian Open League 2025 set to smash expectations!

    Pickleball goes big: Indian Open League 2025 set to smash expectations!

    MUMBAI: Move over cricket, there’s a new sport in town stealing the limelight—and it’s pickleball!

    In a grand press conference that had as much star power as it did sporting passion, Globalsports announced the launch of the Indian Open League 2025 and the Global Sports Pro and Challenger League—set to be Asia’s largest pickleball tournament.

    What makes this event a big dill? Ten city-based teams, a massive $125,000 prize pool, and Indian cinema glamour, all coming together to elevate pickleball from a niche game to a nationwide phenomenon.

    Fans were buzzing as Globalsports revealed the star-studded roster of teams and their illustrious owners, including celebrities, business moguls, and professional athletes.

    Here’s who’s bringing the heat:

    1.  Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors – Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor leads the charge.

    2.  Ahmedabad Olympians – Anmol Patel and Aditya Gandhi take the reins.

    3.  Bengaluru Blazers – Entrepreneur Amrita Deora holds the torch.

    4.  Chennai Cool Cats – The Ruia family trio—Anshuman, Radhika, and Yudi—represent Chennai.

    5.  Delhi Snipers – Jai Gandhi and the Bajaj family aim for bullseye.

    6.  Goa Gladiators – A dynamic mix of Samrat Javeri, Atul Rawat, and others lead this team.

    7.  Hyderabad Vikings – Techpreneur Akshay Reddy helms this southern powerhouse.

    8.  Jaipur Jawans – Bollywood director Luv Ranjan joins comedian Anubhav Singh Bassi for Jaipur.

    9.  Kolkata Kings – The city of joy is led by Varun Vora and Rohan Khemka.

    10. Nashik Ninjas – Karishma Thakker heads this swashbuckling squad.

    This isn’t just a sports league; it’s a brewing revolution.

    Speaking about the league’s ambitions, Globalsports founder Hemal Jain said, “Our goal is to elevate pickleball to unprecedented heights. This league is a celebration of talent and unity, showcasing the incredible growth of the sport in India.”

    Globalsports co-founder Shashank Khaitan added, “Pickleball is not just a game; it’s a movement. We aim to inspire young talent and position this sport as a mainstream sensation in India.”

    Indian cinema’s king of drama, Karan Johar, has swapped the director’s chair for a pickleball court, becoming the league’s brand ambassador. With his trademark enthusiasm, KJo quipped, “Pickleball is all about inclusion, fun, and passion. I am thrilled to bring this incredible sport to the forefront.”

    The Indian Open League will run from 3–9 February 2025, at Nesco in Goregaon, Mumbai. With over 1,800 players battling it out on 25+ courts, the event promises a mix of pro and amateur matches, drawing participants from over 15 cities. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned player, this tournament has something for everyone.

    What’s in It for fans? From high-stakes matches to the electric atmosphere created by Indian cinema’s brightest stars, this tournament is shaping up to be a can’t-miss spectacle.

    Who will walk away with the grand prize? Which city will dominate the courts? Can pickleball become the next big thing in Indian sports? Only time shall tell.

    Under the leadership of Hemal Jain and co-founders Niraj Jain, Divyesh Jain, and Suresh Bhansali, Globalsports is leaving no stone unturned in making this tournament a game-changer. With Indian cinema heavyweights like Shashank Khaitan and Yuvraj Ruia onboard, expect a perfect blend of entertainment and sportsmanship.

  • Times Group enters new age sports – Pickleball

    Times Group enters new age sports – Pickleball

    Mumbai: Pickleball, which is billed as the fastest growing modern sport, will soon have a new superstar league- the Pickleball World Series. The Times Group –the news and entertainment leader in India — is partnering with Pickleball Asia to start this exciting new series on a global stage. The Pickleball World Series will start in the United States and travel across different continents with six major events in a year.  

    Pickleball –which has become a world-wide sensation in a very short period of time— is a fusion of tennis, table tennis and badminton. Its accessible gameplay has attracted enthusiasts of all age groups across the globe as well as sports stars and celebrities including champions from these three racquet sports,

    While there are several existing competitions and leagues in the US, the Pickleball World Series will be the first tournament with global ambitions and will also have a significantly enhanced entertainment quotient. In the first year, the Pickleball World Series will comprise of 64 players in the individual format and six teams comprising four players each, from the US and the rest of the world, including India – which is the rising hotspot for Pickleball.

    Times Group managing director Vineet Jain states: “Pickleball is gaining ground as the game for urban sports enthusiasts. Times Group is known for its innovation and ability to be ahead of the curve in every one of its initiatives and we hope that this effort to take the fastest growing modern sport to the next level will inspire its exponential growth all over the world including in India. I personally believe that in five to seven years, Pickleball will overtake Tennis in terms of participation.”

    Times Group CEO, New Media and Investments, N Subramanian added, “Rapidly accelerating participation and increasing fandom is driving the popularity of many innovative sports globally. That is the opportunity we spotted in Pickleball, an exciting sport that is being enjoyed by millions the world over. Powered by passion and fueled by competition, this fun and immersive sport has won over the hearts of Gen Z and Millennials, making it a natural choice for our partnership and an important addition to our portfolio of strong brands. The Pickleball World Series, our marquee event, will provide a unique platform to bring out the best in players and teams, for fans to enjoy and support their favourites, and for brands to engage and interact with these audiences.”

    Pickleball Asia Pranav Kohli  said, “The Pickleball player community is now 60 million strong worldwide and is growing steadily. We could not have found a better partner, anchor and investor than the Times Group –which brings us many positives that will swiftly move the needle of growth. That is a big gain for the sport and the Series.”

    Outlining details, he said, “Pickleball World Series will embody the spirit of the Pickleball community and aim to provide action-packed competition along with scintillating entertainment built around the game. Starting in the US, the Pickleball World Series will travel across different continents with six major events. The Series will be supported by Pickleball World Rankings, a one-of-a-kind ranking system that allows players to accumulate points and qualify for the Pickleball World Series. We expect this will enable Pickleball stars to rise from different corners of the world and not just from the US.”