**BREAKING NEWS Hyderabad Pickleball Championship 2025 Sets New Benchmark for Sport in South India**

*Hyderabad, July 16, 2025* — The Hyderabad Pickleball Championship 2025 has concluded with resounding success, setting a new benchmark for the sport not only in Telangana but across South India. Widely hailed as a transformative event for pickleball in the region, the championship brought together over 800 players from across India and 12 other countries, showcasing the meteoric rise of the sport in the subcontinent.

The tournament, held at the sprawling Gachibowli Sports Complex from July 10–15, marked the largest-ever pickleball event hosted in South India. Organized by the Telangana Pickleball Association in collaboration with the All India Pickleball Federation (AIPF), the event drew record-breaking crowds, live streaming viewership in the lakhs, and the attention of sponsors and sports administrators nationwide

The championship boasted state-of-the-art facilities, including 20 newly built outdoor courts with international-standard acrylic surfaces, LED floodlighting, and shaded seating for spectators. A dedicated indoor arena hosted the finals, with seating for 5,000 fans and a professional broadcast setup featuring multilingual commentary, drone footage, and AI-powered replays.

International pickleball stars such as Alex Tang (USA), Jun Park (South Korea), and Maria Velasquez (Spain) headlined the tournament alongside India’s top players like Arjun Reddy, Meenal Joshi, and Karthik Iyer. Their presence gave the tournament a global appeal and provided invaluable exposure to emerging Indian talents.

“This is by far the best-organized pickleball event I’ve attended in Asia,” said Maria Velasquez after winning the Women’s Singles title. “The energy of the crowd, the professionalism of the organizers, and the level of competition were all top-notch.”

With over 800 registered players across 14 competitive categories—including Men’s and Women’s Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and Under-18 and 40+ Masters divisions—the championship saw participation from both seasoned professionals and grassroots players. Participants hailed from Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, and beyond.

The total prize pool, a record ₹1 crore (\$120,000), was equally distributed among winners and runners-up in each category. In a historic move, equal prize money was awarded across genders and age brackets, a landmark decision applauded by players and gender equality advocates alike.

Arjun Reddy, who clinched the Men’s Singles title after a fierce three-set battle with Korea’s Min-ho Kim, called it “a moment of pride not just for me, but for every Indian pickleball player who has been striving to raise the bar.”

A standout feature of the Hyderabad Pickleball Championship 2025 was its integration of technology. From digital scoreboards and instant review systems to an official mobile app offering live match updates, player profiles, and interactive fan experiences, the tournament embraced innovation to enhance both player performance and spectator engagement.

The app saw over 150,000 downloads during the tournament week, and the YouTube live stream peaked at 1.2 million viewers during the Men’s Singles final. Augmented reality booths allowed fans to simulate playing against their favorite stars, while workshops and meet-and-greet events enabled enthusiasts to connect with athletes and coaches.

Pickleball, often described as a hybrid of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has grown exponentially in India over the last decade, especially in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. The 2025 Hyderabad Championship firmly established South India as a new hotspot for the sport.

“South India has arrived on the national and international pickleball map,” declared AIPF President Reema Chatterjee. “Hyderabad has set the gold standard for hosting, and we’re already in discussions with global bodies to make this an annual fixture or even a leg of an international tour.”

This championship has already sparked a ripple effect. District-level associations in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala have reported surging interest in forming new clubs and holding local tournaments. The Telangana government, buoyed by the success, announced plans to develop six more regional pickleball centers across the state.

The tournament also emphasized inclusivity and grassroots development. A junior category for U-14 players was introduced for the first time, attracting over 80 young athletes. Special events for differently-abled players and exhibition matches featuring senior citizens further broadened the event’s reach.

Coaching clinics were held throughout the week, led by international experts and Indian champions. “We saw hundreds of young children picking up paddles for the first time,” said Bhavani Rao, a senior coach and former badminton player. “This tournament is planting seeds for a future generation of pickleball athletes.”

The championship provided a significant boost to Hyderabad’s economy and sports tourism. Over 5,000 outstation visitors booked hotels and homestays in the city, with many extending their stay to explore the Charminar, Golconda Fort, and Ramoji Film City. Local businesses—especially eateries, travel services, and sporting goods vendors—reported a spike in revenue.

In a joint statement, the Telangana Sports Authority and Department of Tourism hailed the event as a “blueprint for sports-driven tourism in the state,” promising continued investment in infrastructure and international event hosting.

Following the resounding success of the Hyderabad Pickleball Championship 2025, organizers have confirmed plans to bid for hosting rights to the 2026 Asia-Pacific Pickleball Tour and are in talks with the International Federation of Pickleball to bring a world-ranking event to India.

“This is only the beginning,” said tournament director Vikram Rajan. “Hyderabad has shown what’s possible when ambition, community, and passion for sport come together. Pickleball’s future in South India looks incredibly bright.”

As the final fireworks lit up the night sky over Gachibowli, the message was clear: pickleball has arrived in South India with a bang, and it’s here to start