Pickleball
World Pickleball League: Rishabh Pant joins Swiggy as Mumbai Pickle Power co-owner
The World Pickleball League will start from Friday.
Swiggy, India’s pioneering on-demand convenience platform, announced on Wednesday that it has joined hands with ace Indian cricketer, Rishabh Pant to co-own Mumbai Pickle Power, ahead of the inaugural season of World Pickleball League (WPBL), India’s first and only official global franchise-based pickleball league.
This collaboration underscores Swiggy’s commitment to fostering emerging trends and engaging with audiences in meaningful ways. Additionally, Pant’s foray into India’s first franchise-based pickleball league marks a new chapter for the sport, one of the fastest-growing worldwide.
As co-owners, Swiggy and Pant aim to elevate the awareness about pickleball, a sport that is rapidly gaining traction in India and across the world. Known for his dynamic personality on the cricket field, Rishabh Pant brings his energy and extensive fan base to Mumbai Pickle Power.
This exciting partnership between one of India’s leading athletes and Swiggy, India’s pioneering on-demand convenience platform, aims to give a significant boost to the sport’s prominence and popularity in India.
Rohit Kapoor, CEO, Swiggy Food Marketplace said, "Pickleball already had our attention: fun, fast-paced, and perfect for families to enjoy together. But adding Rishabh Pant to the mix? Ab game aur bhi interesting ho gaya! As co-owners of Mumbai Pickle Power, we’re not just here to win matches; we’re here to create moments of joy, inspire a new generation of players, and make pickleball a household name in India. With Rishabh’s unmatched energy and our commitment to fostering trends, I can’t wait to see what this season brings. Let’s bring the power to pickleball!"
Rishabh Pant said, “I am pleased to partner with Swiggy for the Mumbai Pickle Power franchise in the World Pickleball League. The excitement around pickleball is contagious and I personally love the sport. I wanted to invest into the World Pickleball League to take the sport to the next level. I couldn't have found a better partner than Swiggy, where we share the same vision to amplify the popularity and excitement around pickleball.”
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports globally, owing to its appeal and accessibility for players of all ages. Pickleball has emerged as a popular recreational and lifestyle activity and is poised to gain significant traction amongst Indians in the next few years.
Co-founded by former Indian Tennis Players Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar, the inaugural season of the six- team league, WPBL is set to take place from January 24 to February 2, 2025.
The Mumbai Pickle Power team will kick off its campaign against Pune United in the league’s inaugural match.
All matches, including the grand finale on February 2, 2025, will be held at the Cricket Club of India (Brabourne Stadium) in Mumbai and streamed live on FanCode.
