Now Reading: Nagaland pickleball team wins 11 medals at Kolkata Open
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Nagaland pickleball team wins 11 medals at Kolkata Open
Nagaland’s 24-member pickleball contingent won eight gold and three silver medals at the Kolkata Open 2026, held from April 30 to May 3. The event featured 469 registrations, 310 participants and 1,021…
The Story in Brief
Nagaland’s 24-member pickleball contingent won eight gold and three silver medals at the Kolkata Open 2026, held from April 30 to May 3. The event featured 469 registrations, 310 participants and 1,021 matches across 30 categories. Vilasier Khate, the state’s top-ranked player, won three golds and a silver in four categories.
The Nagaland Pickleball Association was formed on March 27, 2025, and is affiliated with the Indian Pickleball Association, which is recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The state held six events in its first six months, including the Rs 2 lakh Mithun-Rhino Pickleball Championship against Assam. IPA president Suryaveer Singh Bhullar has predicted a national champion from Nagaland within two years.
The Indian Opinion
The easy story is that Nagaland has produced a pickleball powerhouse almost overnight. The harder truth is that the association is still young, with a small player base and a need for more courts, coaches and sustained funding. Its 11 medals are a strong early signal, not proof of lasting depth. The useful test will be whether participation grows beyond tournaments and produces national-level players over the next two years.
Source: timesnownews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
