KLO Sports, co-owned by Srinath Chittoori and Sanjay Jupudi, has acquired the rights to the World Pickleball League (WPBL) team, Hyderabad Superstars.
The competition is co-founded by Gaurav Natekar and Arati Natekar and the inaugural edition will kick off on January 24.
The WPBL unit will be helmed by Jonny Andrews, popularly known as ‘Jonny Pickleball’. Hyderabad Superstars’ roster consists of Kuldip Mahajan, Max Freeman, Ross Whittaker, Ava Cavataio, Karolina Owczarek, Ben Cawston and Ludovica Sciaky.
Gaurav Natekar, Co-Founder and CEO of the World Pickleball League expressed his enthusiasm, “We are excited to welcome KLO Sports as the owners of the Hyderabad Superstars. Their deep understanding of the Indian sports landscape will be invaluable to the league. With their commitment to excellence and passion for promoting sports at various levels, we are confident that KLO Sports will elevate the franchise to new heights. Together, we look forward to creating memorable experiences for our fans and contributing towards the vision and the grandeur of the World Pickleball League.”
Srinath Chittoori, Co-Owner of KLO Sports, stated, “Driven by sheer passion, we are always seeking unique and exciting opportunities in the world of sports, and World Pickleball League presented just that. Impressed by Gaurav and Arati’s plans and vision for the league and the rapid rise of the sport’s popularity in India, we decided to associate with the World Pickleball League as team owners. We believe that with our investment, we can help nurture local and upcoming talent while building a strong community of players and fans. Our aim extends beyond simply creating a competitive team; we want to foster an environment where everyone can come together to celebrate the sport, share their passion, and embrace the fun and camaraderie that pickleball brings.”
Mr. Sanjay Jupudi, Co-Owner of KLO Sports, added, “We are thrilled to embark on this journey into the exciting world of pickleball—a sport that has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. The World Pickleball League is a fantastic platform to elevate its popularity and discover exceptional talent across the country. Hyderabad, with its vibrant sporting culture, has embraced pickleball with enthusiasm, and we are honored to represent the city in this league, adding to its rich sporting legacy. This moment is especially meaningful to me. As a 12-year-old, I and my 10-year-old cousin unknowingly created a version of this game, making it all the more rewarding to see pickleball gain recognition in India. We look forward to contributing to its growth and success in the country.”
The inaugural season that will kick off later this month at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) will consist of teams from Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Mumbai.
WPBL coordinates with the All-India Pickleball Association (AIPA) and Sony Corporation as an investor and partner.