Delhi HC Upholds Recognition of Indian Pickleball Association as NSF

On February 2, 2026, the Delhi High Court dismissed a challenge to the Sports Ministry’s decision granting recognition to the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) as the National Sports Federation (NSF) for pickleball in India.[1]

The petition was filed by the All-India Pickleball Association (AIPA), which contended that the Ministry had ignored its application for recognition and improperly granted recognition to the IPA. The IPA had been granted exemptions from certain conditions under the Sports Code, including the requirement of three years’ prior existence (Clause 3.3) and the requirement of 50% district unit affiliation with State/UT units (Clause 3.10). AIPA had argued that these relaxations lacked any basis or rationale.

The Court, however, observed that mechanically applying the Sports Code to all sports, including nascent disciplines such as pickleball, would be flawed and would amount to treating unequals as equals. It held that the power of relaxation served a salutary purpose, particularly in the context of developing and emerging sports. The grant of exemptions was a policy decision made after due consideration of the sport’s evolving status and the need to promote its growth. The Court declined to interfere, noting that the Sports Ministry possessed domain expertise in such matters.

The Court further noted that the Ministry had considered the IPA’s compliance status, membership strength, and the alignment of its constitution with the Sports Code, while observing deficiencies in the AIPA’s constitutional framework. While dismissing the petition, the Court clarified that recognition and relaxations under the Sports Code were not permanent and could be revisited annually, leaving it open to the Ministry to reconsider the matter in the future, if warranted.

[1] All India Pickleball Association v. Union of India & Anr., WP(C) 5736/2025