The initiative of AIPA places para pickleball players on the same structured competitive pathway as mainstream pickleball players for the first time. It is a decisive move towards a more inclusive sporting ecosystem.

 

Founded by Rekha Gaikwad, Mauli School has been working for over 25 years for the holistic development of deaf and differently abled children, and this collaboration with AIPA adds a new sporting dimension to that mission.

 

The programme began in April 2025 under the guidance of Coach Vaidehi Gupte, in close collaboration with the school’s teachers. Over a three-month period, the para pickleball players were introduced to pickleball through specially developed sign-based communication and adaptive coaching methods tailored for deaf and differently abled children.

 

Training sessions were conducted on makeshift courts using wooden paddles, yet the students displayed remarkable commitment, steadily building confidence, coordination, and a strong understanding of the game.

 

As part of the pilot phase, five students from Standard 9 and 10 were selected for a two day city exposure programme. During the visit, the students were formally registered on DUPR, trained and competed alongside hearing children of the same age group, and participated in mock matches with experienced pickleball players. 

 

Commenting on the initiative, Arvind Prabhoo, President of AIPA, said, “Pickleball must grow as a sport that includes everyone. Initiatives like this demonstrate how access, structured training, and opportunity can enable differently abled athletes to become an integral part of the competitive landscape.”

 

With this initiative, AIPA has not only introduced a new chapter for pickleball in India but has also laid the foundation for the structured growth of para pickleball where talent is nurtured through opportunity and the joy of sports is accessible to all.