Hyderabad’s Club Pickleball Ecosystem Becoming A Launchpad For Women Athletes

Hyderabad: Through the CCPL Club League (previously called Hyderabad Pickleball League (HPL) Club League), organisers are attempting to build not just a tournament, but a long-term player pipeline – one that is increasingly creating opportunities for women athletes across the city.

This season alone, the Club League saw participation from over 92 women players, with more than 40 women getting the opportunity to compete across clubs from areas including Jubilee Hills, Kukatpally, Kondapur, Tellapur, Habsiguda and Abids. For a developing sport in India, those numbers are significant.

“Pickleball’s biggest strength is accessibility. We wanted the Club League to become a platform where players – especially women and younger athletes – could move from casual games into structured competition and team environments. The long-term vision is to build a genuine talent pipeline for Hyderabad,” said Yashwanth Biyyala, Co-founder of Centre Court Sports & Entertainment.

Unlike standalone tournaments that often prioritise experienced players, the Club League format gives emerging athletes consistent exposure to structured competition, team environments, crowd pressure, and match experience over an extended period of time. That exposure is exactly what organisers believe will help identify and develop the next generation of HPL talent.

“One of the most exciting outcomes of the Club League has been discovering how much untapped talent already exists across the city. When you create consistent playing opportunities across clubs and neighbourhoods, you naturally widen the talent pool — especially among younger players and women who may not otherwise enter a traditional competitive pathway. That grassroots depth is critical for the long-term future of the sport,” said Vikrant Rao, Co-founder, Centre Court Sports and Entertainment.

The accessibility of pickleball has also helped expand participation. Players from different fitness levels and sporting backgrounds – including working professionals, former athletes, beginners, and mothers returning to sport – have all found a place within the league structure.

"A few months ago, I didn’t really know much about the sport, but my team owner encouraged me to give it a try. The people, the atmosphere during matches, and the overall vibe have been amazing," said Abhaya, a former international tennis player now competing for Vikings PC. "Pickleball has already become so popular, and I feel like it’s only going to keep growing."

"The transition (from tennis) wasn't that hard because the game is very much like tennis. I’m just playing because it’s a fun environment and hitting near the net is incredibly satisfying," said Apurva Vemuri, a former National and ITF tennis player who joined the league this season.

The decentralised club model has further reduced barriers to entry. With clubs and venues spread across Hyderabad, players are able to train and compete within their own local communities rather than travel long distances to participate. Organisers believe this community-first structure is key to sustaining women’s participation in the sport long-term.

Title sponsors, Praneeth Group, also shares the same vision, “We believe in the league's vision of making pickleball a sport for everyone, not just elite athletes. The Club League model, where teams represent clubs and neighborhoods rather than franchises, aligns directly with our commitment to building connected, and engaged communities. We hope this partnership inspires the homebuyers, residents, and families who are part of the Praneeth Group community to step onto the court, find a club, and become a part of something special.”

Globally, pickleball has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sports partly because of its social, mixed-gender, and accessible nature. HPL’s Club League now appears to be channeling those same strengths into a more structured competitive pathway for Hyderabad’s players. And for many involved, this season may simply be the beginning of a much larger women’s talent pool for the city.

“We’re already seeing players grow in confidence and competitiveness within a single season. That’s incredibly exciting for the future of women’s pickleball in Hyderabad,” concludes Yashwanth.