Legal Challenge Over Recognition of Indian Pickleball Association: AIPA Seeks Justification from Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Delhi High Court Orders Ministry to Justify Recognition of Indian Pickleball Association Amid Legal Challenge
Hyderabad, May 2, 2025 — In a significant development for the burgeoning sport of pickleball in India, the Delhi High Court has directed the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) to provide a detailed affidavit justifying its decision to recognize the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA). This ruling comes in response to a legal challenge filed by the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), which claims to be the oldest and most widely represented governing body for the sport in the country.
Founded in 2007, AIPA boasts active federations in 24 states and is a founding member of both the International Pickleball Federation (IPF) and the Asian Pickleball Federation (APF). The organization received its official affiliations in 2015 and 2020, respectively, solidifying its position as a key player in the global pickleball community.
In its petition, AIPA argues that the recognition granted to IPA by MYAS violates the National Sports Development Code of India. The code stipulates that any recognized body must have a minimum existence of three years, a requirement AIPA contends the IPA does not meet. The court has taken note of these concerns and has scheduled a hearing for interim relief on May 19, 2025.
“AIPA has strongly pressed that the impugned recognition order is not sustainable and is arbitrary under the law,” the association stated. They emphasized that the Sports Code is designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in the recognition process of National Sports Federations. “If the code is to be diluted arbitrarily, it will damage the entire sporting ecosystem,” AIPA warned.
As the legal battle unfolds, AIPA remains committed to promoting the growth and development of pickleball across India, upholding the principles of good governance in sports. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the future of pickleball in the country, as well as for the integrity of sports governance in India.
With the court’s intervention, all eyes will be on the MYAS as it prepares to defend its decision, and on the upcoming hearing that could reshape the landscape of pickleball governance in India.
