J&K Pickleball players make their mark at Nationals
Squad announced for the Junior & Senior Tournament in Indore
Mar 18, 2025
JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Pickleball Association (JKPA), affiliated with the Pickleball Federation of India (PFI), has officially announced the list of selected players for the much-awaited Junior and Senior National Pickleball Tournament 2025.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Indore from March 22 to 23, 2025, and will feature the country’s top players competing for national honors over the two-day event.
The players selected to represent Jammu and Kashmir at the prestigious national tournament include: Vivek Sharma, Vikas, Anmol Jandial, Deeraj Anjurang, Aryan Raj, Vidhant Dubey, Manish Kumar, Pawan Kumar, Sunil Singh, Bhupesh Singh, Vyon Aarab, Ashwani Kotwal, Pawan Singh, Naresh Sharma, Ranjitt Singh Chib, and Praval Sharma. Alongside the players, Pawan Singh will serve as the coach, while Naresh Sharma will be the team manager.
In a ceremonial event marking the announcement, the Jersey of the JKPA team was unveiled by the association's members. The unveiling ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Ranjit Singh Chib, Chairman of JKPA, and former international handball player.
During the occasion, Ranjit Singh Chib expressed his excitement for the upcoming tournament, highlighting that this is the first time Jammu and Kashmir players are participating in a National Pickleball Tournament.
“It is a momentous occasion for our association and for the players of Jammu and Kashmir. The game of pickleball is gaining immense popularity in our region, and we are proud to have players from three districts—Jammu, Kathua, and Udhampur—participating in the National tournament this year. We anticipate that soon, all districts in J&K will be represented, as the sport’s appeal continues to grow,” said Chib.
He further elaborated on the nature of the sport, stating, “Pickleball is a paddle sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. It’s a highly accessible game, suitable for players of all ages and skill levels. The simplicity of the rules makes it a perfect introductory sport for everyone.”
The Chairman also emphasized that pickleball is gaining tremendous popularity across India, especially in cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, with a growing number of players and courts.
In addition to Ranjit Singh Chib, other JKPA members present at the event included Praval Sharma (General Secretary), Devinder Singh (Treasurer), Kuljeet Singh Jamwal (Vice President), Sanjay Puri (Vice President), Vivanshu Sharma (Joint Secretary), Rishi Sharma (Joint Secretary), Sanjay Singh Salaria (Marketing Manager), and Nariender Mahajan, Neete Kour, Mamta Bajaj, and Rameshwar Singh Manhas.
As Jammu and Kashmir continues to embrace the sport of pickleball, the selected players are expected to showcase their talents on the national stage, further enhancing the state's growing reputation in the sport.
The JKPA’s participation in the upcoming National Pickleball Tournament is a significant milestone for the association and a testament to the increasing interest in pickleball across the region. With continued support and development, J&K is poised to become a prominent hub for the sport in India.
