Amitash says his life is now scheduled keeping in mind his pickleball game time in the evenings. “Three to four days a week, I get together with a large group to play and we have at least one court booked in advance for the month. I much prefer getting my cardio outdoors, and through a sport which pickleball has made possible,” says the Chennai-based actor, who has been playing sport all his life.
“We have over 10 great courts to pick from, and clubs in the city have been generous enough to add a pickleball court. The community might be small compared to cricket, but the tournaments are amazing ..
. even for a spectator,” Amitash says. Having taken to the sport seriously in the last year, he now also has an endorsement deal with a company that manufactures pickleball gear.
Open up the Turf Town app and at least 15 pickleball courts in Chennai instantly show up. While the sport has seen a steady following post pandemic, the last year has seen the city take to the sport like never before. A pickleball match in progress at Picklers Arena in Iyyappanthangal | Photo Credit: B Velankanni Raj One can now take their pick — from courts in malls such as Ice Water sports arena in Express Avenue and DoubleDribble at Ampa Skywalk, sporting facilities such as Huddle Up in Mahalingapuram, Pickleball Park in T Nagar, and K Square sports hub in Tiruvottiyur, and private courts in recreational clubs including Madras Club and Presidency Club.
Even the mere promise of the sport has begu.