Pickleball, the rapidly growing hybrid sport, has become a global phenomenon, and Chennai is no exception. After a significant surge in popularity post-lockdown, the city now boasts a passionate community of players, including many former tennis and badminton enthusiasts, supported by numerous new courts across the urban landscape.
Now, Chennai is set to host the electrifying Rise Up Championship, an event that marries the thrill of pickleball with the festive spirit of music and food. Dubbed the ‘Pickleball By The Bay and Music Festival,’ this three-day extravaganza will unfold on the picturesque lawns of VGP Golden Beach. Organized by the Rise Up Championship (RUC) foundation in collaboration with the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), Tamil Nadu Pickleball Association, Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR), and Pickleball World Ranking, it proudly stands as one of India’s pioneering PWR 1000 sanctioned tournaments.
A pickleball enthusiast at play
Selvakumar Balu, founder of the RUC foundation, launched the initiative three months ago with a clear vision: ‘to provide a robust platform for athletes across various sports who, despite their achievements, often lack crucial support in terms of infrastructure, basic facilities, or brand association.’ The phenomenal rise of pickleball made it the perfect choice for their inaugural tournament, with future plans already in motion for e-sports and golf championships.
The courts being set up
The championship has already attracted 72 players from across India, with strong contingents from Mumbai, Lucknow, Delhi, and a significant majority from Bengaluru and Chennai. These athletes, ranging from 17 to 52 years old, have been carefully selected by the Indian Pickleball Association based on their DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) scores, ensuring a high level of competition.
What to expect?
Attendees can look forward to a spectacular temporary pickleball court offering breathtaking views of the sea. The 12,000-square-foot air-conditioned indoor facility will house two courts and comfortably accommodate up to 800 spectators, complete with exclusive VIP lounge areas for an elevated experience.
Beyond the thrilling matches, the festival aims to cultivate a vibrant carnival atmosphere. While the games dominate the mornings and afternoons, the evenings will burst to life from 7 pm onwards with electrifying performances from talented bands and DJs, alongside an array of tantalizing food stalls. The musical lineup includes DJ Lash and Aishwarya on Day 1, DJ Sparrow, Vinaitha and her band, and Pineapple Express on Day 2, and Sublashini and her band, Masala Coffee, and DJ Veekay gracing the stage on Day 3.
Selvakumar draws a parallel with cricket, stating, ‘You know what IPL did for cricket. We will be doing a similar format for other sports.’ The ultimate goal is to inspire widespread participation: ‘The idea is to make sure everyone picks up a sport; and if from the spectators attending even if five people take this up, it’s good,’ he emphasizes.
Passes for this exciting event are priced at ₹499 per day and are available for purchase on in.bookmyshow.com. For more details, visit riseupchampionship.com.
