Mumbai’s sports culture has remained constantly strong over the years. The famous Mumbai marathon, which sees participants around the world, has managed two decades since the first round in 2004. The South Mumbai Wankhede stadium is home to countless cricket matches; Including India’s victory at the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
Now there is a new sport that joins the regular cricket and football range. Make the place in Pickleball, an increasing sport that found the favor in the city, as well as with celebrities of Bollywood like Aamir Khan, Sharvari and Ali Fazal.
Slowly but regularly, pickleball is now practiced as a weekend sport which is not only for the rich and the famous.
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What is pickleball?
The pickleball is played with a perforated plastic ball and paddles, is easy to learn and adapted to all age groups. The game can be played in simple or double and is popular because of its accessibility and low impact on the body.
After being from the United States in the 1960s, Pickleball recently acquired global recognition, Mumbai in India emerging as a Hotspot for sport.
Why Mumbai is obsessed with pickleball
There are several reasons why sport resumes in a maximum city. Maitri, the co-founder of Fitness Center Squat Up and a fitness enthusiast herself, explains why he calls on individuals.
“It is a sport that fills the gap between intense physical activity and occasional leisure, which makes it attractive for people from all age groups and fitness levels,” she says NDTV lifestyle.
Aditya Khanna, a fitness enthusiast and a key figure in the world classification of pickleball (PWR) agrees with this feeling.
He says: “The nature of sport is social and focused on the community. As there is an increased interest in outdoor activities after COVVI-19, pickleball has become a friendly choice with minimal physical tension.”
How Pickleball compares to paddleball, tennis and badminton
Providing good cardiovascular training without being as painful as tennis or squash is one of the main reasons why pickleball has seduced people concerned with fitness.
In comparison with tennis, pickleball lands are smaller and the game is played with a plastic ball, making it slower. Its closest competitor is Paddle Ball, which is often played against a wall and uses a solid rubber ball, while pickleball uses a perforated plastic ball, affecting speed and rebound.
Another popular competitor in sport is badminton. However, pickleball is played with a ball instead of a shuttle, leading to a different gameplay experience. The size of the courtyard is similar, but the rhythm of the game and the techniques differ considerably.
Adityya tells us more about how pickleball compares to tennis and paddle ball, “Tennis is the most established racket sport, with more than a billion fans and around 90 million players in the world. Paddle Ball Quickly gain popularity in regions like Europe, South America, and the Middle East.
Maitri weighs, saying: “We have noticed a constant increase in interest, with an increase of 30% to 40% of participation in activities related to pickleball in the past year. This includes new arrivals that never have Having pagaie, also as experienced players who make them a regular part of their fitness routines.
Why Mumbai is in love with pickleball
It is not only Mumbaikars but the city itself took pickleball quickly, and it is for a key reason – space. In a city where square feet rates come up against lakhs and crores, the infrastructure required to play the game also adapts perfectly in the hungry city in space.
“The limited space of Mumbai and the high density of the population make pickleball an ideal sport. The compact size of the courtyard and the gameplay at a quick rate means that it requires less space and time compared to traditional sports Like tennis, which fits perfectly into Mumbai’s fast lifestyle “, explains Mumbai’s fast lifestyle” Maitri.
A third factor that led to the rise of pickleball in Mumbai is his time. Perpetually wet even in winter afternoons, the capacity of the sport not to leave the participants ended completely works in its favor.
“Pickleball can be played inside or outside, which makes it adaptable to the weather conditions of the city. The moderate intensity of the sport makes it more suitable to play even in wet conditions, because the players do not Do not feel too drained while enjoying good training, “she adds.
Finally, another reason why pickleball resumes in Mumbai is its ease of learning. The sneaky service, light paddles and slow ball facilitate it collection from tennis or badminton, attracting people of all ages, including the elderly and beginners.
Maitri says: “Pickleball is one of the sports most suited to beginners, which is an important factor in its growing popularity. The rules are simple and the equipment is easy to manage. Unlike certain sports that require skills Advanced or a significant practice time take advantage of it, Pickleball allows newcomers to pick it up quickly and start playing in a few minutes.
What is the future of pickleball in Mumbai looks like?
In short, brilliant. While Pickleball is on a path at the top in Mumbai, it only saves popularity.
“Pickleball in India is at its beginnings but is developing rapidly, with growing participation in schools, colleges and clubs. According to recent estimates, India now has more than 1,000 Pickleball courts, with 10,000 Professionals and 70,000 amateurs actively participating, “concludes Aditya.
The rise of pickleball in Mumbai testifies to the evolution of the city’s sports culture. With increasing awareness and infrastructure support, pickleball should become a basic sport in the Mumbai urban landscape.
(Read also: Like the “Monday motivation” of Sharvari playing a sport, 5 celebrities of Bollywood who are fans of pickleball))