Goa Pickleball Association (GPA) in collaboration with All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, and the Sports Authority of Goa, successfully hosted a Pickleball Demonstration Workshop on April 28 and 29, at Fatorda, Margao and Campal, Panaji.
Pickleball is a fast-growing racket sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. The game is played on a smaller court, making it an ideal sport for all ages and skill levels. The two-day demonstration workshop aimed to introduce the sport to the Goan community, showcased its benefits, and encouraged more people to take up the game.
The event started with a brief introduction of Pickleball and its history by Nikhil Mathure, Treasurer, AIPA. The demonstration was then led by India’s top-ranked pickleball players, namely Mayur Patil and Kuldeep Mahajan from Maharashtra, Sonu Kumar Vishwakarma (Jharkhand) and Avinash Kumar (Bihar) who showcased various techniques, shots, and strategies of the game. Around 140 physical education teachers from across Goa, besides players and young students, had the opportunity to witness and learn the game.
“The Pickleball Demonstration Event was a tremendous success, and we are thrilled with the response we received from the community,” said Manoj Patil, President of Goa Pickleball Association. “We believe that Pickleball has the potential to become a popular sport in Goa, and we are committed to promoting it and providing the necessary infrastructure and training to players in the region”, said Praveen Shenoy, Treasurer, GPA.
The event was also attended by dignitaries, including SP North Nidhin Valsan (IPS), Abhishek Guli, Director, Axzora Private Limited, Manoj Patil (President, Goa Pickleball Association), Praveen Shenoy (Treasurer, Goa Pickleball Association), Executive Committee members / volunteers Dattaram Bicholkar, Gautam Kharangate, Vishal Gaonkar, Milind Prabhu, Noel Noronha, Shekhar Dhume, Ramesh Naik, Vrushali Cardozo and Sandeep Heble who graced the occasion among others.
“We are delighted to partner with the Goa Pickleball Association to promote and introduce this exciting sport in Goa, pickleball is a great way to stay active and improve one’s health, it is a game which is played by people of all ages and we hope that more people in Goa will take up the sport”, said Nikhil Mathure, Treasurer of AIPA.
