Delhi High Court Orders Ministry of Sports to Justify Recognition of Indian Pickleball Association Amid Legal Challenge from AIPA
Delhi High Court Orders Ministry to Justify Recognition of Indian Pickleball Association Amid Legal Challenge
New Delhi, May 2, 2025 (ANI) — In a landmark ruling that could reshape the landscape of sports governance in India, the Delhi High Court has mandated the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) to provide a comprehensive affidavit justifying its decision to recognize the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA). This directive comes in response to a legal challenge from the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), the oldest governing body for the sport in the country.
Established in 2007, AIPA has been instrumental in promoting and developing Pickleball across India, boasting active federations in 24 states. As a founding member of both the International Pickleball Federation (IPF) and the Asian Pickleball Federation (APF), AIPA has played a crucial role in the sport’s growth, securing official affiliations in 2015 and 2020.
The controversy erupted when AIPA contested the recognition granted to IPA by MYAS, arguing that the latter does not meet the National Sports Development Code of India’s requirement of a minimum three-year existence. AIPA claims that this oversight undermines the integrity of sports governance in the country.
In light of these concerns, the Delhi High Court has scheduled an interim relief hearing for May 19, 2025, urging MYAS to clarify its rationale for granting any exemptions under the Sports Code. AIPA has asserted that the recognition order is arbitrary and unsustainable under the law.
Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan, representing AIPA, emphasized the importance of adhering to the Sports Code, which is designed to ensure transparency and accountability in the recognition of national sports federations. Advocate Hemant Phalpher, who is also part of AIPA’s legal team, warned that any arbitrary dilution of the code could jeopardize the entire sporting ecosystem in India.
"The AIPA has been the oldest and internationally affiliated governing body for Pickleball in India and will continue to uphold the principles of good governance in sports," Phalpher stated.
As the legal battle unfolds, AIPA remains committed to its mission of fostering the growth and development of Pickleball across the nation, while the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the governance of sports in India.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
