The World Padel League (WPL), which is owned by ID Info Business Services Ltd. and powered by Maisour, made an impressive start in India with the backing of the Indian Padel Federation (IPF).
After four days of spectacular padel action, SG Pipers Cheetahs clinched the title with a stunning 24-15 victory over Vernost Jaguars in the finals on Saturday at the Nesco Centre in Mumbai.
The competition, which included four teams — Sohail Khan Ent. Panthers, SG Pipers Cheetahs, Game Changers Lions, and Vernost Jaguars—was nothing short of spectacular, capturing a diverse variety of sports fans and ushering in a new era in Indian padel history.
The World Padel League obtained an amazing list of sponsors for its inaugural season, establishing the event as a huge success from the outset. The infusion of high-profile businesses demonstrates the league’s potential and popularity in the fast-rising sport of padel. Such substantial sponsorship support in the inaugural season is a clear indication of the league’s future prospects, laying the groundwork for even greater success in the years ahead.
To elaborate further on this, SportsMint Media had the privilege of interviewing Mr Navdeep Arneja, COO of the World Padel League. In a brief conversation, Mr Arneja shared insights on various topics, including the league’s journey so far, the significance of its sponsors, financial sustainability, and much more.
1. Could you share your experience with the league so far? How has the structure evolved over the past few days, and what are your expectations moving forward?
It has been an exciting journey so far. There’s plenty of enthusiasm from the players to be a part of an event like this, the first of its kind in India. The level of competition is being raised each day and the audiences are responding to such quality players on show by turning up for the matches.
In terms of the structure, it’s a short tournament, spanning a few days. The key is to have a well-rounded structure in the first place, that can remain intact, while providing competitive matches and maintaining high engagement levels. Over the past few days, we’ve seen how players are adapting to the dynamics of the league and are starting to relish the challenge. Moving forward, the expectation is to continue growing the sport in India and build a genuine fan base around the league to ensure the league cements itself as an approachable yet premium platform for Padel.
2. How do you differentiate the World Padel League from other popular sports leagues and create its own unique identity?
Padel is an emerging sport amongst the masses, especially in India. With its dynamic, fast-paced, and engaging nature, it’s catching the imagination of people across all ages. So, there is an increasing interest around the sport and for us, it’s about tapping into the right opportunities to make sure the league creates its own identity. At the end of the day, the fans want to witness quality competition, no matter the sport. For us, it’s not only about bringing in the established athletes but also on expanding the sport’s reach to establish India as a market for padel and make this a calendar event.
3. What challenges have you faced in expanding the league internationally?
Expanding an emerging sport internationally comes with its own set of challenges. Perhaps the biggest hurdle is building awareness and educating audiences about the sport. Padel origins internationally date back to the 1960s, but the sport is only recently gaining recognition as a commercial property. With that realisation, there is an increase in broadcasting and media partnerships. However, the challenge is competing with established sports leagues for sponsorships. Brands might be hesitant to get on board initially but we see that as part of the process, especially when the league is growing and is still in its nascent stages. The sponsorship pattern is also moving from product-led narratives to value-led strategies and that is something we can focus on moving forward. With increasing interest from all stakeholders, we are confident of finding solutions for these kinds of challenges.
4. With so many foreign athletes involved with such quality, do you reckon having a local athlete would boost the league commercially?
Absolutely. It’s always nice to give the people a local connection to the sport and having local athletes involved might have fostered strongly, not only commercially but also for the followers. As seen with many sports, local representation creates a deeper connection with the audience, driving higher viewership and commercial interest. Not only that, it also encourages grassroots participation and inspires the next generation of kids to take up the sport. We are planning something on these lines and you’ll hear the announcement soon.
5. A word on sponsors; the league has inked partnerships with some of the top brands?
We would like to extend our heartiest gratitude to the sponsors of the league. Sponsorship for emerging sports comes with its own set of challenges but that too has been evolving gradually. While traditional partners such as sports gear, health & fitness brands, and FMCG companies remain key players, we are also seeing interest from unconventional sectors like real estate, BFSI, and sustainability-focused brands, at an industry level. The brands associated with Meteora Developers WPL recognise its long-term potential and have the opportunity to shape its growth narrative from an early stage.
6. How does the league plan to achieve financial sustainability in its early years, and what are some of the key obstacles to that goal?
Financial sustainability is a byproduct of a solid foundation, and like any other live event, years one to three are the most crucial. We want to go about achieving this goal in more ways than one, including inking strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and community engagement. Competing for sponsorships against established leagues is a key obstacle, as is ensuring consistent audience growth and maintaining operational efficiency. By focusing on creating unique brand stories, understanding the community, and leveraging digital engagement, we aim to build long-term commercial viability and be financially stable. As I said, the initial years are crucial, but once the league establishes itself, credibility, and financial sustainability will naturally follow.