The 4th IPA nationals pickleball tournament was off to a rollicking start at the Bennett University. Over 100 players from nearly 20 states featured in team events on Day 1 of the showpiece event. Bennett University has emerged as the pickleball hub in India. With 14 pickleball courts within the campus, it provides the students and aspiring pickleball players access to top-notch facilities. The University's bid to promote pickleball in India has garnered praise from notable names in the country. In October 2024, the University played host to an exhibition match between India's top pickleball player Armaan Bhatia, and USA's Dusty Boyer. The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Times Group MD Vineet Jain and actress Ruhii Singh.

Rakshit Chauhan, a student of Bennett University, who represented the Chhattisgarh team in the Men's Open category event at the 4th IPA nationals pickleball tournament, highlighted Bennett University's efforts to promote the sport in the country. Rakshit revealed that the University provides all the required accessories to the students, and also sponsors the events they want to participate in.

"Bennett has provided us with all the exposures, be it facility, be it equipment, be it anything. If we want to play any tournament, they are sponsoring. So, they are giving us paddles, they are giving us balls," Rakshit told Pickleball Now

He also revealed that the University organises regular events, exhibition matches, and workshops with professionals for the overall development of the players. "So, we have regular events for pickleball and we have exhibitions from outside for the exhibition match. There are workshops where big professional players come," he added.

Rakshit also gave details about the extensive pickleball facilities at the University campus. "We have 10 synthetic courts which are very rare to find. So, that's a very unique thing about Bennett," Rakshit said.

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. The sport gained popularity among the masses given its accessibility to people of all ages. Rakshit feels that the sport's ability to connect people makes it very fascinating. "So, what is the most fascinating thing about pickleball is, it is a community-driven sport. So, that is very interesting about it. We go to many tournaments where we meet a lot of new people, good people with whom we build connections," he concluded.

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