The 3rd National Ranking Pickleball Tournament kicked off in style at the Tennis Courts in Fatorda on Friday. Organised by the Goa Pickleball Association in collaboration with the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) and supported by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Sports Authority of Goa, the tournament promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent and competition.
Day one of the tournament witnessed the participation of numerous top players from across the country, including Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and the host state of Goa. The focus of the day was on the singles events, where players showcased their skills and determination on the pickleball court.
Notable performances on day one included the exceptional display of skills by Arjun Singh and Aditya Singh, both brothers from Maharashtra. They exhibited their remarkable talent and progressed to the Quarter Finals in the Under 14 and Under 19 categories. Snehal Patil from Maharashtra also delivered an outstanding performance, securing a place in the Quarter Finals of the Under 19 Singles category.
Stavya Bhasin from Maharashtra showcased his prowess by reaching the Quarter Finals in both the Under 14 and Under 19 Singles categories, while his brother, Stavhir, also excelled and secured a spot in the Quarter Finals of the Under 19 category. In the Men’s Singles 35+ age group, Goa’s own Amit Kakkar and Aditya Oberoi demonstrated their skills and emerged victorious in their opening round matches, positioning themselves as favorites to progress to the knockout stage.
As the tournament progresses, Maharashtra currently holds a strong position, demonstrating their dominance on the first day. However, with several more days of fierce competition ahead, it remains to be seen who will emerge as the ultimate champion.
The tournament was officially inaugurated by the esteemed presence of Arvind Prabhoo, President of the International Pickleball Federation and All India Pickleball Association. Joining him were Manoj Patil, President of the Goa Pickleball Association, Chetan Sanil, Secretary General of the All India Pickleball Association, Nikhil Mathure, Treasurer of the All India Pickleball Association, Sandeep Heble, Organising Secretary of the event, Praveen Shenoy, Treasurer of the Goa Pickleball Association, Vinayak Kamt, SAG Coach, and Vishal Gaonkar, Joint Secretary of the Goa Pickleball Association, among other esteemed dignitaries.
