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**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Pickleball Craze Sweeps Thiruvananthapuram, Turning Tier 1 City Expats to Local Entrepreneurs**

**Thiruvananthapuram, India – August 5, 2025** – A new sports trend is rapidly gaining popularity in Thiruvananthapuram: pickleball. This paddle sport, similar to tennis and badminton, is taking the city by storm, driven by entrepreneurs who were first introduced to the game in Tier 1 cities like Bengaluru and Chennai.

Spinz Pickleball, The Happy Court, Sportonix Pickleball, and Zero Fitness Performance Studio are just a few of the ventures springing up across the Kerala capital, offering dedicated pickleball courts and fostering a burgeoning community of players. These entrepreneurs, including Ajay Thomas of Spinz Pickleball, observed the sport’s growth in other metropolitan areas and recognized the potential for a similar following in Thiruvananthapuram.

“Many people see it as an alternate fitness plan. At the same time, it is also a place to bring family members or colleagues together,” said Ajay Thomas.

Pickleball courts, smaller than tennis courts, are approximately 44 feet long and 20 feet wide. The game is played with a perforated plastic ball and paddles, with variations available depending on whether the game is played indoors or outdoors. These new courts are a welcome improvement to early adopters of the sport who have been previously relegated to badminton courts to play pickleball.

Kishore K, co-founder of The Happy Court, explains that initially, creating awareness was key. “When we began the space in January, very few people knew about the sport. We had to teach them the game without taking any payment for it.”

The sport appeals to a wide demographic, from young children to senior citizens, making it an accessible and enjoyable activity for people of all ages and fitness levels. Sunish S Pillai, a Technopark employee, says, “It is a good option for a team-building exercise. Currently, everyone playing with me sees it as an opportunity to explore something new and as a stressbuster.”

With court reservations available through various channels, including apps, and affordable paddle rentals, pickleball is becoming increasingly accessible. Local organizations are also focusing on building community through the sport, with plans for coaching facilities, tournaments, and even women-exclusive matchups.

“We want to create a group of people who are very excited to play the sport,” Ajay stated.

As pickleball continues to gain traction in Thiruvananthapuram, it is poised to become a staple of the city’s sports and fitness scene.

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