About Me
Sport is a catalyst that unites people and helps humanity transcend differences and inequalities. In addition to being a great physical fitness activity, it is also a powerful tool for social cohesion. Life lessons like perseverance and discipline can also be embedded in society with the help of sports.
Pickleball — an extremely fun but underrated international racket sport has made its way in India during the past few years. All thanks to an amazing personality, Sunil Valavalkar, and his fervent love for pickleball. Back when he was a school-going kid, he developed a burning passion for sports but neither did he know that it would soon turn him into the beloved ‘Father of
Pickleball’ of India.
With the fate of achieving recognition worldwide for pickleball on his shoulders, he walked through flames, fighting every evil and challenge that stood in his way. He also established the All-India Pickleball Association which is the Premier Governing body for Pickleball in India and also the International Federation of Pickleball, which operates worldwide. Mr. Sunil has organized more than7 National level Pickleball tournaments in which more than 1500 players have participated during the last 15 years. This is an inspiring tale of an astonishing man and his endeavors, marking the triumph of resilience.Pickleball’ of India.
Mr. Sunil Valavalkar was born on 9 February 1964, in the city of dreams, Mumbai. Young Mr. Sunil was filled with a sporty perseverance and after completing his schooling, he went to Mumbai University to complete his bachelor’s in commerce. He also completed the Company Secretary inter level. His late father’s name is Sadanand Valavalkar who was a renowned advocate and his mother is Asha Valavalkar who was a cashier in the Life Insurance Corporation of India. He is married to his stunning wife Manisha Valavalkar who is an officer working in Western Railways and is blessed with a daughter who recently got married.
He had a keen interest in sports since childhood and used to play Kho-Kho and Kabaddi. He continued playing these two sports till he was 20 years old and represented his college at several tournaments. He joined GIC– General Insurance Corporation, a government company , worked there for 25 shining years and took VRS in 2010 as Assistant Manger , soon after joined private sector and dedicated his life to the promotion and recognition of pickleball. His journey is full of unwavering belief in himself and he is a man who fought for his purpose till victory.
Mr. Sunil Valavalkar was always filled with athleticism. He was a popular player of kho-kho and kabaddi in his school and college. After completing his education, he joined the General Insurance Corporation (GIC) which is a government-backed company, and served a period of 25 years. Taken aback by his exceptional skills, his employers asked him to form a sports team. So many players who rose from his team later got amazing work opportunities with the government and were able to convert their passion into their work.
With a growing age, Kho-Kho and Kabaddi were no longer feasible for him to play as his body was unable to sustain it. This made him switch to racket sports like badminton and lawn tennis in his late 30s.
Life certainly is a journey full of surprises and so was the case with him. On a sunny afternoon in 1999, Mr. Sunil Valavalkar received a golden chance to go to Canada as a Project Supervisor for Indo-Canada Youth Exchange programme.
He was entrusted a team of 20 Indian youths and went overseas to stay with Canadian families. In Hope BC in Canada , Sunil was lucky to get Host father Mr Barry Mansfield who taught Pickleball along with other racket sports — Lawn Tennis, Badminton and Pickleball for 3 months and flew back to
Mumbai later.
Upon returning home, he became a lawn tennis player but little did he knew that soon his life was about to meet with a sharp turning point. His brother sponsored him to come to USA and train one step further in 2006 for 8 days. This is where ‘Pickleball’ his passion, came into the picture. He realized the similarities between lawn tennis and pickleball and was instantly hit with the fact that this is his calling.Mumbai later.
He noticed how pickleball was easier to play, far less complicated than tennis and was also much more affordable. It had all the potential to be a hit in the Indian realm of sports. While returning back to India, with unwavering determination, he along with his daughter and niece started playing Pickleball in sports complexes, parking lots, and in clubs as well.
Soon the game caught the attention of people but just like every successful person, his story is also filled with obstacles. Since pickleball was more of a Canadian and American sport, Mr. Sunil had to fly all the way to Vancouver just to grab the sports equipment. Besides People rejected the game, underestimated his potential and turned him into a laughing stock. Mr. Sunil faced financial challenges too but nothing could rock his faith in himself . He continued to soar above the setbacks and finally decided to form the All-India Pickleball Association and got it registered as a charitable trust company.
2012 was the year pickleball finally picked up pace as he arranged a meeting and invited 15 sports representatives from different states to present the concept and potential of pickleball. Fortunately, 10 states approved and December of 2013 marked the first-ever Pickleball tournament in India. His hard work started paying off as one after the other, States started joining him in his purpose to promote this sport and by 2023 more than 5000 players had already played pickleball as professional players. In 2015, he also made an official tie-up with Doordarshan. The channel showcased his pickleball workshops and the tournaments. He used to receive calls from people of not just India but even Bangladesh and Nepal regarding the game and its techniques.
Sacrificing his sleep, social outings, and even his personal life was now finally becoming fruitful as India accepted pickleball with open arms. Under his guidance, many non-players have turned into complete international-level athletes and are unlocking amazing heights in the realm of international sports and making India proud with every passing day.
He now envisions pickleball as a major Indian sport and sees it at the same level as cricket. He is working harder than ever to gain international as well as national recognition for pickleball. He wishes this sport to be played everywhere, from schools to office complexes and even in each and every state of India. His legendary pioneering of Pickleball will always remain carved in gold and he is a superhero for the athleticism of India.