The Dimapur Pickleball Open concluded with 110 players from Nagaland and Assam competing for a prize purse of INR 1,00,000, organised by the Nagaland Pickleball Association.
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DIMAPUR — The Dimapur Pickleball Open competition concluded on Sunday, hosted by the Nagaland Pickleball Association (NPA) at The Fitness House, Dimapur.
The two-day event, which began on September 20, saw the participation of 110 players from Nagaland and Assam competing across men’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles for a total prize purse of INR 1,00,000.
This was informed during a press conference at The Fitness House, Dimapur, by the president of NPA, Nathan Zeliang, who mentioned that the Nagaland Pickleball Association is the official body for pickleball in Nagaland and is affiliated with the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), the national sports federation for pickleball in India recognised by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Sports Authority of India.
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He added that they are building a safe, inclusive, and competitive ecosystem for pickleball in the state, with a focus on grassroots and schools by introducing clinics, inter-school and inter-college friendlies, and starter kits for institutions.
Certification pathways for coaches and referees in partnership with IPA, a transparent state ranking system, a structured annual calendar of events, support for club formation, court standards, and access across districts are also being developed, along with efforts to bring more girls and young athletes into the sport.
The NPA also announced that they will be organising the Niathu Pickleball Open scheduled for October 10 and 11, and the entry details will be available through their official channels.
Their vision is to make Nagaland a serious player in India’s fastest-growing sport, from weekend socials to national-level competition.
At the event, the North East Development Officer of IPA and secretary of the Assam Pickleball Association, Nazneen Rahman, and the president of the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, were also present.