Mumbai, May 3, 2026: The Maharashtra Pickleball Association (MPA), under the aegis of the Indian Pickleball Association, inaugurated the Maharashtra Open 2026, a PWR-certified state championship, at Andheri Sports Complex. The event was inaugurated in the presence of Maharashtra’s Minister of Cultural Affairs, Ashish Shelar.
The three-day tournament (May 1–3) witnessed participation from over 1,000 players across 30+ categories, including international performers like Arjun Singh and Aditya Singh, as well as India’s No. 2 women’s singles player Mihika Yadav. Winners will qualify for the upcoming National Championship.
MPA President Rahool Kanal highlighted the rapid growth of the sport, noting the association has already crossed 750 members in its debut month and aims to position Maharashtra as a national pickleball powerhouse. In the Pro Singles category, Aahana Punjabi secured the women’s title with a dominant performance over Priyanka Mehta, while Atharva Khisti clinched the men’s title, defeating Arush Niture in the finals. The championship marks a significant milestone for pickleball in Maharashtra, reinforcing the state’s emergence as a key hub for the sport’s development in India.