Set to unveil its inaugural season in January, the Natekar Sports and Gaming-owned league, the World Pickleball League (WPBL) has onboarded actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu as the owner of the Chennai franchise.
Samantha, well-known for her acting abilities, will make her debut as a sports entrepreneur with the WPBL.
Samantha, as the owner of the Chennai team, demonstrates her dedication to India’s expanding sports ecosystem, with a special emphasis on boosting women’s participation as athletes and entrepreneurs.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Owner of the Chennai Team, WPBL, said, “Love at first sight — that’s exactly how I’d describe my feelings for pickleball. It caught my attention from the moment I was introduced to it. Today, I’m thrilled to be the owner of the Chennai franchise in the upcoming World Pickleball League. I’ve always wanted to be a part of India’s growing sports ecosystem. In recent years, our country has made great progress towards becoming a multisport nation, with a significant increase in women’s participation in sports. My goal is to encourage more women and young girls to get involved in sports, and I’m eager to work with Gaurav Natekar and AIPA to drive participation in the sport.”
Gaurav Natekar, Founder & CEO of WPBL, commented, “We’re thrilled to welcome Samantha Ruth Prabhu as one of the team owners of the World Pickleball League. When I first met her a few months ago, she was very clear about her desire to play a hands-on role in promoting a sport and owning a team, and building communities in Chennai, especially by creating more opportunities for women and girls to play. With 40% of pickleball players being women, Samantha’s involvement is a perfect fit for the league.
“We’re crafting an experience that is at the confluence of pop culture. From exceptional food and engaging content to captivating music, and with the star power of owners like her, the WPBL will be a sensory feast that goes far beyond just the sport itself.”
Arvind Prabhoo, President of the All-India Pickleball Association and President, International Pickleball Federation, said, “Pickleball is the fastest growing sport globally, and WPBL is set to be an unmissable event where the world’s top players will showcase their talents on Indian soil. Samantha is particularly passionate about increasing female participation in sports and creating opportunities for young women and girls. We at AIPA are excited to collaborate with her to further popularize pickleball across the country.”
As the World Pickleball League prepares for its inaugural season, Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s participation will grab eyeballs across the nation.
On the day of the announcement, SportsMint Media had an opportunity for an exclusive interaction with Gaurav Natekar, Founder & CEO of WPBL.
How can the World Pickleball League foster a community and spread awareness of the sport among the general public, given that the league is only getting started?
We’ll hold numerous national ranking competitions for each franchisee in every city. We’re collaborating closely with the All India Pickleball Association to build the sport from the ground up and spread awareness.
