Karnataka, India, October 23, 2024:The Karnataka State Pickleball Association (KSPA), the Official State governing body for Pickleball in Karnataka, continues to make strides in promoting the sport. Established in 2016 by its Founder and General Secretary, Rajath Kankar MR, KSPA has been a pioneering force in organizing state and national-level championships. With its dedication to expanding the sport, KSPA collaborated with the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) to conduct a Level 1 Coaches Certification Programme in Bengaluru.
The certification program took place on October 19th at PLAY.XP Pickleball Arena. The event saw the participation of 25 aspiring coaches. The course was led by two renowned personalities in the Pickleball community: Vijayshankar Menon, Director of Sports and Performance at AIPA, and Team India’s Pickleball Coach, along with Chetan Sanil, Chief Instructor and General Secretary of AIPA. The day commenced at 9 AM with a warm welcome from Rajath Kankar MR, followed by a rigorous schedule of theory classes and practical sessions.
The highlight of the program was the examination, which tested participants’ theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Coaches were required to secure a minimum of 60 marks out of 100 to earn their AIPA Level 1 Coaching Certification. By 5 PM, those who excelled in both the theory and practical sections were officially certified.
In another exciting development, KSPA proudly announced its first-ever player sponsorship for an international tournament. Kavya J, a talented athlete from Karnataka, has been selected to represent Team India at the prestigious Asian Pickleball Games in Taiwan, starting from October 25th. This sponsorship marks a milestone for KSPA as they aim to provide more athletes with opportunities to compete on international platforms.
Rajath Kankar MR expressed his gratitude to AIPA and its President, Shri. Arvind Prabhoo, for their unwavering support and dedication to growing Pickleball in India. He shared his optimism about the future, stating, “With such talent emerging, we are confident in sending more athletes to international championships.”
KSPA remains committed to fostering talent and promoting Pickleball, having already organized eight state championships, one national championship, and the South Zone Pickleball Championship, among other initiatives. Karnataka State Ranking Championship is all set to get announced dates and the category handbook will be launched soon.
