Pickleball has emerged as one of the most sought-after sports around the world. Its less complicated game style has attracted people on the court and it has been a revelation.
The racquet sport is yet to earn the status of a mainstream sport but it has been growing at a very fast pace and it has also been named the USA’s fastest-growing sport for the third consecutive year.
Calls to include pickleball in the Olympics have already been made and recently Louis Laville further raised the issue. Los Angeles will host the 2028 Olympics and host cities can add up to six games of their choice.
But all the games in the Los Angeles Olympics have already been confirmed and Laville believes in 2036 pickleball can be seen as an Olympic sport.
“I like to see myself as an ambassador of the sport and try to lead the next generation into it and to give my absolute all to grow the sport as much as possible.
"The sport’s exploded over the last few years and it’s super exciting where it is in Europe, England and worldwide.
"My hope is that it goes to the Olympics, whether I’m young or fit enough to play in that team is a good question, but ultimately, I would love for it to be in the Olympics.
"I think it will be an Olympic sport at some point. 2036 potentially if we can get it big enough. That’s the goal for pickleball and that would be the epitome of the sport if you can win Olympic gold in pickleball.”
Recently, Pickleball League Asia Private Limited in association with The Times Group launched the Pickleball World Rankings (PWR) at a grand event in Dubai on July 24. PWR will improve sports governance and future longevity by uniting regional groups under a single, cohesive structure.
The announcement was made by PWR at the event attended by Vineet Jain, MD -The Times Group & Chancellor, Bennett University, Pranav Kohli, CEO & Founder of PWR, the world’s top Pickleball players, including women’s world number 1 on APP Tour Megan Fudge DeHeart, and other prominent personalities from international Pickleball community.