With the World Pickleball League (WPBL) kicking off today at the Cricket Club of India, co-founder Gaurav Natekar stated that creating an impact in the inaugural season has been his focus and having the league at the Brabourne Stadium is a bonus.
“I wanted to create an impact in Season 1 and that is why after many, many years a non-cricket sport has managed to find it as the venue. The CCI never gives permission for non-cricket sports to be played there but now when you come there you will see how we have built up all the facilities and things. That is what is creating a special buzz and special atmosphere for our event,” Natekar added.
Elaborating on how the genesis for the WPBL was set, Natekar spoke about how it started.
“We have our own sports consulting advisory and we have some other businesses as well. When we were in Goa, we sponsored a tournament. Mr Arvind Prabhu, AIPA President came and I met him and we got talking and we hit it off. And he said we should do something like a league because it will promote the game and our players. That was the germ of the idea and that is where it all started.”
The former Davis Cupper spoke about the concept and vision a little.
“We worked on the concept and we worked on the structure. Sony Entertainment Talent Ventures, which is a Sony company came onboard and as a strategic and financial investor which was really brilliant.
“I think the vision of the league is to not only make sure that the top players of the world come and play in our league. It helps to popularise the game of Pickleball. All the new players who are taking to the sport, to come and watch it and enjoy it and that’s why we are having sport as well as enjoyment. Everyday there is going to be entertainment, music, culture, mentalist and comedy and all of that,” he added.
He explained about the involvement in women in the league.
“The vision is to create a property that everyone can come and enjoy. About 40 percent women play it and once we do that, we will be able to give value to all our stakeholders. Whether it is the brands or the sponsors.”
The WPBL co-owner stated team owners from diverse fields are in the mix.
“When we planned the league, we wanted the team owners to come in the form of team owners and not as brand ambassadors. They are all team owners. Now you have heard Rishabh Pant has come in as team owner along with Swiggy. Sunil Gavaskar has come onboard as the Delhi team co-owner. Jawan’s director Atlee has come onboard etc. People from varied field are coming forward as team owners.”
Natekar revealed there are also plans for grassroots development.
“I think the federation is doing a lot. The AIPA is our partner and they have some plans for grassroot development. I don’t want to talk too much about it at this stage and we will announce it when the time is right. If the right people don’t get into the sport for the right reasons and look to build the eco-system, there will always be a problem,” he added.
