Global Pickleball Movement and Nepal's Opportunity to Lead the Revolution
Pickleball, the fast-growing racquet sport that combines the elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, is sweeping the globe — and Nepal is also becoming part of this revolutionary sport more and more. Pickleball has its origins in the USA, spreading rapidly to over 90 countries, and becoming extremely popular in the USA, Canada, India, Thailand, the UK, and Singapore.
The only special reason for such global acceptance of Pickleball is how easy it is: easy to learn, body-friendly, and so much fun to play for players of any age. Whether you’re a child picking up a paddle for the first time, or an older adult seeking an active lifestyle without joint stress, Pickleball offers the perfect balance of fitness and fun. Its social nature also makes it one of the most community-driven sports globally.
Nepal’s Pickleball journey began only three years ago, but the sport has already taken root. Over 70 players are active in Nepal and around 50 Nepali players abroad.
Kathmandu Valley alone has around 12 courts spread across various venues such as BMK Chandol, Arniko School Bhotebahal, The Pump Chabahil, Dunkmandu – Snowland Academy, NCCS School and a host of others.
New courts are also in the planning stages in Chunnikhel, Bhanu Bhakta School, PCPS and some in Lalitpur. One of the biggest strengths of Nepal is the adaptability of the spaces that already exist. Tennis courts and basketball courts are being turned into hosting facilities for Pickleball courts, hence making the game possible even in densely populated cities.
Nepal made global headlines in March 2024 when it hosted its inaugural international Pickleball tournament — Nepal Open International Pickleball Tournament.
Hosted at Lalitpur, the event had 115 players from 10 countries and saw more than 300 games played within two days. Not only did Nepal organize the event successfully, but they also dominated it by winning 20 gold, 13 silver, and 20 bronze medals.
The tournament was a milestone that highlighted Nepal's potential to become a regional Pickleball giant. Foreign players praised the quality of competition and hospitality during the event, and in this way, Nepal has proved itself capable of hosting world-class events. I, Jackson Subedi, was fortunate enough to organize this tournament as a "Tournament Director."
But despite these feats, there is one major setback: the Government of Nepal has not yet officially recognized Pickleball as an official sport.
It is not even registered under the National Sports Council of Nepal, and players, organizers, and coaches struggle to access funding, facilities, or institutional support.
This lack of appreciation is especially disappointing considering the popularity of the sport internationally — Pickleball is actually set to have an Olympic debut at the 2032 Olympics. With international bodies like the International Pickleball Federation (IFP), Global Pickleball Federation (GPF), and DUPR advocating the sport's formalization, Nepal may end up behind if immediate action is not taken by the authorities.
I am Nepal's sole IPTPA-certified Pickleball instructor and official Engage Pickleball Ambassador and the founder of Nepal Underground Pickleball. Our organization works extremely hard to build the sport from ground zero.
In keeping with my campaign to popularizing Pickleball and create awareness of its prospects in Nepal, I also participated in the Babbal Challenge 2025, organized by King's College, where I was honored to be selected as a finalist.
My entire campaign was based on my slogan — “Building community through pickleball” promoting Pickleball in Nepal and beyond. I'm also honored to share that I'm now a top 30 contestent of Idea Studio season 8, a platform that incubates change-making ideas, and I'm looking forward to the final round soon. Such recognitions fuel me more to continue propagating the sport and its life-changing impact.
The task in Nepal is being conducted with intensity and commitment by individuals and organizations like Nepal Underground Pickleball. We are organizing tournaments, holding training camps, building relationships with international Pickleball bodies, and inviting people from all walks of life to play the sport.
Pickleball is not an activity — it's a lifestyle. It improves cardiovascular health, increases coordination and balance, reduces stress, and fosters friendships. It's excellent for schools, families, the elderly, and business professionals. What's fantastic about Pickleball is that you don't need to be a professional athlete to play — all you need to do is pick up a paddle and start whacking the ball.
To all readers, if you are looking for a fun, social, and healthy sport, then Pickleball is the sport to play. And if you wish to help build a dynamic, open sports culture in Nepal, we invite you to be a part of the movement.
Join Nepal Underground Pickleball. Whether you are a player, parent, club owner, or just looking for a new interest, we have room for you. With your involvement, we can further push for formal government recognition and bring Nepal into the global Pickleball family — and maybe one day, to the Olympics.
Written by Jackson Subedi, US Certified Pickleball Coach (IPTPA) and Founder of Nepal Underground Pickleball
Sports