The All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), the country’s oldest and most established body for pickleball, has escalated its protest over being denied official recognition by writing directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a pointed letter sent on Sunday, AIPA accused the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) of ignoring merit and legacy in favor of what it calls a “short-cut” decision that undermines years of grassroots development work.
AIPA, founded in 2007, has played a pivotal role in popularising pickleball across India. It boasts active federations in 24 states and has been involved in coaching programs, national tournaments, and international affiliations — notably as a founding member of both the International Pickleball Federation (IPF) and Asian Pickleball Federation (APF). Despite this extensive track record, the ministry recently granted National Sports Federation (NSF) status to the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), an entity that AIPA claims was only set up five months ago.
In its appeal to the Prime Minister, AIPA expressed not only disappointment but a sense of betrayal, saying the recognition of the IPA over AIPA disregards years of groundwork and “sends a demoralising message” to sports enthusiasts and administrators nationwide. The letter painted this as not merely an organizational slight but as an affront to the core principles of fairness and meritocracy in Indian sport.
The association has urged for a transparent review of the decision and called for recognition policies to prioritize long-term contribution and grassroots involvement over what it perceives as politically influenced decisions.
This controversy now puts a spotlight on how emerging sports in India are governed and recognized — and whether legacy and merit will continue to be cornerstones in such decisions or be overshadowed by other considerations.
