Padel in India: Aditya Khanna's Vision to Revolutionize the New Age Sport | Exclusive

In the modern world, along with the contemporary changes, the sport is evolving as well. A plethora of new age sports have arrived and one of which is making name is Padel.

Padel, originally started in Mexico, has become a popular sport across the globe and India has also joined in the frenzy. Aditya Khanna, a known name in the field of Tennis, has been a key figure in the promotion of Padel in India.

MyKhel had an exclusive chat with Khanna recently, where he spoke about a plethora of ways on how Padel can become the next big thing in the subcontinent. Here is an extract of the interview-

Q: What is the game Padel? How has it been making a wave in India?

Aditya: Technically, Padel isn't a new sport-it's just new to India. It has existed for decades in Europe, the GCC, and South America. Globally, the sport has a full-fledged competitive structure, with prize money in millions, world championships, and Asia Cups.

India is a little late to the Padel scene, but I firmly believe it has huge potential here-both as a professional sport and a recreational one. If you look at tier-one cities like Delhi and Mumbai, courts are already booked for months. That demand and enthusiasm are why we're working so strongly in this space.

Q: What's your vision to make Padel a more community-centric sport in India?

Aditya: Our vision is to develop the entire ecosystem of Padel in India. The first step is infrastructure-we need more courts across multiple cities to ensure accessibility.

We're also focusing on building the coaching structure by bringing in international coaches and training programs. This includes starting events for juniors, from under-12 to under-18, and eventually developing a professional tour. A major part of our focus is to train Indian coaches to teach Padel with the correct techniques-not as modified tennis or squash coaching.

Ultimately, our aim is to host international events and grow the sport across India.

Q: Have any tennis or squash players joined your mission so far?

Aditya: Yes, absolutely. In our first FIP (International Padel Federation) event, we saw participation from well-known tennis players like Digvijay Pratap Singh, former Davis Cup player Vivek Shokeen, and national champions like Sharmada Balu.

We even had players from the ITA Masters such as Lakshit and Chandril Sood, the current world number ones in the senior 30+ category. While tennis players bring excellent foundational skills, the real focus will be on nurturing skilled Padel players from the grassroots level.

Q: Partnerships and collaborations are crucial for such projects. Have you secured any partnerships yet? Any challenges faced so far?

Aditya: Yes, our first major partnership is with the Times Group, which has been instrumental in promoting Padel through its vast media network. The first FIP event, hosted at Bennett University, saw tremendous coverage and participation.

We're also in talks with key racket and ball manufacturers like Bullpadel and Babolat to make equipment more accessible. Additionally, we're exploring setting up court manufacturing units in India to lower costs and make courts more affordable.

Collaborating with international coaches from Europe and Dubai is another priority. Our long-term goal is to strengthen ties with the International Padel Federation (FIP) and bring more global tournaments to India.

Q: Have you set any short-term goals for the project? What is the way to move forward?

Aditya: Yes, in the short term, we aim to host 3-4 FIP events in IndiaLaunch the Indian Padel Tour with around 10-12 tournaments, ensuring that Indian professionals can earn while playing. Start junior tours and host coaching camps with international coaches to develop talent at the grassroots level.

These short-term objectives will lay the foundation for the long-term growth of Padel in India.

Q: Indian cricketers have been seen playing Padel recently. The likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, and others have been seen playing Padel. Have you considered engaging cricketers to promote the sport?

Aditya: Yes, cricketers are cultural icons in India, and their endorsement would significantly boost Padel's popularity. We're already in discussions with a few cricketers, and we're hopeful that their involvement will bring more visibility and enthusiasm for the sport among fans.

Q: In Spain, Padel is the second most popular sport after football. Do you think India can replicate that success?

Aditya: I believe India has the potential, but it will take time. The key challenge is accessibility. In Spain, Padel courts are easily available, and the cost to play is low.

In India, we need to work on affordability-whether it's courts, rackets, or balls. The high cost of land in metros makes this tricky, but we're addressing it step by step. If we can reduce barriers to entry, Padel will reach a lot more people and grow rapidly, especially in cities where there's already significant interest.

Q: Grassroots development is key to long-term success. Have you explored integrating Padel into schools yet?

Aditya: Not yet, but it's definitely part of our vision. Implementing Padel in schools would expose young kids to the sport early on, just like cricket or football. Worldwide, Padel is already very popular, so it's only a matter of time before India follows suit.

Q: Where do you see Padel in India five years from now?

Aditya: In five years, I see Padel becoming a popular sport not just in Metro Cities but across the country. It will be embraced by both amateurs and professionals, with Indian players competing in international tournaments like the World Championships and Asian Championships. We'll also see kids taking up Padel at a young age and developing into world-class athletes. Overall, it's an exciting journey, and I'm confident Padel has a bright future in India.