Pickleball
Chennai Super Champs launch Chennai Open Pickleball Championship
Samantha Ruth Prabhu co-owned team reinforced its commitment to sports and youth development in the state.
REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO: Pickleball equipment
The Chennai Super Champs announced the launching of the inaugural Chennai Open Pickleball Championship on Wednesday, announcing that the first edition of the tournament will take place in the summer of 2025.
“The tournament, a first-of-its-kind, organised by the city's World Pickleball League (WPBL) franchise, aims to bring the fast-growing sport of pickleball to the city's sports enthusiasts,” the Super Champs said in a release.
The tournament will take place under the aegis of the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) and the Amateur Pickleball Tamil Nadu Sports Unit (APTNSU), with the WPBL extending its support to the endeavour, the franchise said in the statement.
Registration for the league will open soon. “The Chennai Open Pickleball Championship is designed to cater to players across various categories,” the release stated.
The Chennai Super Champs was one of the teams in the inaugural WPBL held in Mumbai last month. The initiative is supported by principal partners Sathyabama University, reinforcing its commitment to sports and youth engagement.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu, co-owner of Chennai Super Champs, said, "Pickleball is capturing the imagination of people globally, and Chennai is ready to be part of this exciting journey. Our WPBL campaign sparked tremendous interest back home. I cannot wait to see the same translate into wider participation and fun in the Chennai Open Pickleball Championship. We aim to harness that momentum, encouraging youth participation and making the sport accessible to all. This championship is about community, competition, and celebrating the joy of sports."
Echoing the sentiment, co-owner Himank Duvvuru added, "The Chennai Open Pickleball Championship highlights our commitment towards ensuring year-round engagement with the sport. We mean to play a part in helping pickleball grow, and what better way for it than to host a first-of-its-kind tournament in our city? We cannot wait to bring the game here, tapping upon and maximising the love for Chennai Super Champs and pickleball at large in the city."
Mariazeena Johnson, Chancellor of Sathyabama University, stated, "We are proud to partner with the Chennai Super Champs in bringing the Chennai Open Pickleball Championship to life. Chennai's deep-rooted passion for sports ensures that this event will not only be competitive but also an inspiring experience for players and fans alike. We believe initiatives like these nurture healthier, more active communities."
