The All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), the governing body of pickleball in India, has announced a partnership with Skechers, a global leader in performance footwear and apparel.
The five-year agreement has named the athletic footwear brand the official kit sponsor for the Indian national pickleball team.
Under the terms of the deal, the apparel brand will provide the Indian team with competition-ready apparel and footwear specifically designed for the demands of pickleball. This collaboration aims to elevate the playing experience for the national team by combining AIPA’s knowledge of the sport with Skechers’ expertise in performance gear.
The partnership extends beyond outfitting the national team. Both AIPA and Skechers expressed a commitment to fostering the growth of pickleball in India, one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. The performance footwear brand intends to leverage this sponsorship to expand its presence within the Indian sports market, reaching athletes seeking high-performance equipment.
Arvind Prabhoo, President of All India Pickleball Association, said, “We are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey with Skechers. As pickleball continues to gain momentum as one of the fastest-growing sports in India, this partnership underscores our shared dedication to advancing the game and empowering players of all levels. Together with Skechers, we look forward to introducing cutting-edge sportswear that not only enhances performance but also reflects the vibrant spirit of pickleball.”
Rahul Vira, CEO of Skechers India, said, “Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports around the world and players everywhere love the comfort and performance of Skechers Pickleball footwear. As the Official Kit Sponsor of the All India Pickleball Association, we look forward to helping expand the reach of this fun and popular sport to more athletes across India with our innovative Viper Court collection. Our partnership with AIPA joins our portfolio of sponsorships of every major tour in North America and in other markets as only Skechers offers Comfort That Performs for athletes who want to achieve their best on and off the court.”
This agreement marks a promising step forward for both organizations. The AIPA gains a valuable partner in Skechers, while Skechers positions itself at the forefront of India’s burgeoning pickleball scene.
This announcement comes on the heels of Natekar Sports & Gaming (NSG) securing a strategic investment from Sony Entertainment Talent Ventures India (SETVI) to launch the World Pickleball League (WPBL), indicating a surge in interest for the sport in the country.
Skechers is a global leader in performance and lifestyle footwear. The brand has established itself as a dominant force in the sport of pickleball by sponsoring every major tour and organization in North America including USA Pickleball, Major League Pickleball, the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Tour, the Carvana Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour, and the Pickleball Canada National Championship. Last year, it further expanded its global sponsorship portfolio by adding Pickleball England’s English OPEN and English Nationals.
In India, Skechers recently appointed the cricketer Ishan Kishan as its brand ambassador. The apparel company also inked an association with Mumbai Indians (MI), earlier this year, for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and Indian Premier League (IPL) teams.
AIPA, established in 2008, organises tournaments, conducts coaching camps, and works towards gaining recognition for pickleball from the Indian government. Pickleball is played in more than 18 states in the nation at the moment, with more than 10,000 registered players.