Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The Goa Pickleball Association, in collaboration with the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), announced the 3rd National Ranking Pickleball Tournament, scheduled from May 18 to 21, 2023.
The event will be held at the Tennis Courts in Fatorda, Margao, and is set to attract pickleball enthusiasts from all over the country.
Supported by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Sports Authority of Goa, the National Ranking Pickleball Tournament is a key event in the pickleball calendar and serves as a selection tournament to identify talented players who will represent India at upcoming International events.
The tournament is powered by ENGN, an athlete representation and performance-wear company. With total prize money of Three lakh rupees, the tournament promises thrilling competition across various categories, including Under 14, Under 19, Open (Men and Women), Above 35, and Above 50, in both singles and doubles events, as well as mixed doubles, totalling 25 events in all.
Around 250 players from more than 13 different states are expected to participate, showcasing their skills and determination on the pickleball courts. Among the notable singles players who will be in action are Tejas Mahajan from Maharashtra and Snehal Patil, both reigning Asia Champions. They will be joined by Sonu Kumar Vishwakarma from Jharkhand, Isha Lakhani from Maharashtra, and Avinash Kumar from Bihar. The doubles category will witness the formidable presence of players such as Yuvi Ruia, Mayur Patil, Vrishali Thakare, and Himansh Mehta. In the Veterans 50+ category, Sarita Davare, a celebrity nutritionist, and Sandeep Tavde, a National Gold Medalist, will be among the key players to watch.
Goa players to watch out for will be Nishad Shevde, who has won medals in Pickleball National events earlier and Noel Noronha, who is a prominent name in Table Tennis. The tournament will be graced by the presence of esteemed representatives from the All India Pickleball Association, including Arvind Prabhoo, the President of AIPA, Sunil Valavalkar, the Founder Secretary who introduced the game to India in 2008, Chetan Sanil, the Secretary General, and Nikhil Mathure, the Treasurer. Gaurav Natekar, an outstanding former tennis player, will grace the closing day. Their attendance reflects the importance of the event and their commitment to the growth and development of Pickleball in Goa.
Arvind Prabhoo, President of AIPA, expressed his belief that Goa has the potential to become a hub for international Pickleball and an international tourism destination. AIPA is already planning to organize an international event or championship in one of Goa’s star properties in the near future. To ensure the smooth conduct of the tournament, AIPA has assigned a team of qualified technical officials, including Rahu Sanap as the Chief Referee and Rupesh Chavan as the Deputy Referee, both from Maharashtra.
