Global Sports Pro & Challenger League Season 2 Officially Announced With Bollywood Connection
India's premier pickleball competition returns with expanded format and celebrity involvement.
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The wait is over for pickleball enthusiasts across India as Global Sports has officially announced the return of its flagship tournament. Season 2 of the Global Sports Pro & Challenger League is officially launching with promises to be bigger, bolder, and packed with more thrilling action than ever before.
The announcement came via an Instagram post featuring a vibrant promotional image showcasing the tournament branding with bold text declaring “Season 2” and the Global Sports Pickleball Pro & Challenger League logo prominently displayed.
Bollywood Connection Brings Star Power
Adding significant celebrity power to the pickleball movement is filmmaker Shashank Khaitan, who appears to be closely involved with the tournament. Khaitan, known for directing hit Bollywood films like “Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania,” “Badrinath Ki Dulhania,” and “Dhadak,” has emerged as one of the most passionate celebrity advocates for the sport in India.
The filmmaker’s connection to pickleball isn’t new. Earlier posts from the Global Sports account revealed that Khaitan participated in previous pickleball events, including the Pickle Point 2025 Sunrise to Sunset Masters tournament. One post described him as a “Bollywood director, writer, and passionate pickleball player.”
According to his Wikipedia profile, Khaitan began his career as a dance instructor before transitioning to filmmaking. The 43-year-old director has established himself as a significant voice in mainstream Hindi cinema, with most of his films produced under Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions banner.
Building On Season 1 Success
The announcement follows what appears to have been a successful inaugural season. Previous posts from Global Sports highlighted “Season one’s fierce rallies and infectious energy,” suggesting the first tournament generated significant enthusiasm among participants and spectators alike.
A post from earlier this month showed footage from the Indian Open Pro & Challenger League with the caption: “The courts have seen history, the crowd has witnessed greatness, and the champions have risen! The countdown to Season 2 starts NOW.”
Another post declared the first season “DONE & DUSTED” while teasing the upcoming second season, indicating that organizers have been building anticipation for this announcement for some time.
Expanding The Pickleball Ecosystem
Global Sports appears to be developing a comprehensive pickleball ecosystem in India. Beyond tournaments, they’re also involved in court construction and facility development. A recent post stated, “We don’t just host unforgettable tournaments, but also design and build world-class pickleball courts and facilities!”
The organization recently announced a new facility at Eaze Zone Mall in Malad West, Mumbai, expanding their footprint in India’s commercial capital. They’re also recruiting talent, with a call for pickleball managers and coaches who can “showcase skills and lead teams to victory” in the upcoming league.
Celebrity Involvement Growing
The pickleball movement in India seems to be attracting increasing celebrity attention. Beyond Shashank Khaitan’s involvement, a recent announcement revealed that Bollywood actress Disha Patani is set to attend ‘The Pickleball Open 2025’ in Dubai, bringing additional star power to the sport.
A post promoting her appearance invited “All Picklers” to register for the tournament and encouraged “spectators to get ready for Sizzling Pickleball Action along with the Glamour and Oomph of Bollywood.”
What’s Next For Season 2
Details about the upcoming season are still emerging. The organization also recently teased the Indian Pickleball Grand Slam, describing it as “the biggest serve of the season” and inviting fans to “Stay with us as history gets made.”
For pickleball enthusiasts looking to participate or follow the action, Global Sports maintains registration options through their website at globalsports.net.in and the Hudle platform.
With the growing popularity of pickleball worldwide, particularly in India, Season 2 of the Global Sports Pro & Challenger League represents an important milestone in the sport’s development in the region, bringing together competitive play and celebrity endorsement to elevate the game’s profile.
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