Poovaiah Chekkera–Bopanna Chekkera win inaugural Coorg Pickleball Open Doubles

The first-ever tournament, featuring eight teams, witnessed a day of closely contested matches as players showcased their skill, determination and sporting spirit.

Kushalnagar: Poovaiah Chekkera and Bopanna Chekkera emerged as the inaugural champions of the Coorg Pickleball Open Doubles Tournament held at the Coorg Pickleball Club in Guddehosur, near Kushalnagar, on Sunday.

The first-ever tournament, featuring eight teams, witnessed a day of closely contested matches as players showcased their skill, determination and sporting spirit, according to a release by Coorg Pickleball. The competitive encounters also reflected the growing popularity of pickleball in Kodagu.

The participating teams initially competed in a round-robin league, with each game played to 11 points. The semi-finals and final were subsequently played in a best-of-three format, with each game again being played to 11 points.

Poovaiah Chekkera and Bopanna Chekkera put together a strong run through the tournament to claim the title. Dawan P.S. and Chaithan Kunjilana finished runners-up after an impressive campaign.

The prizes were presented to the winners and runners-up by M.G. Bopanna and Mallika Bopanna at the prize distribution ceremony.

M.G. Bopanna, a long-time sports enthusiast and promoter, has played an important role in encouraging generations of young people in Kodagu to take up sports and imbibe values such as discipline, resilience, teamwork and camaraderie, release stated. During the 1970s, he was instrumental in reviving interest in tennis in the region and has continued to support and inspire young sporting talent.

The inaugural pickleball tournament received an enthusiastic response from both players and spectators. Organisers said the event marked another milestone in the growth of pickleball in Kodagu, where participation in the sport has been steadily increasing.

“With more players taking up the sport and a growing pool of local talent, pickleball is gradually establishing itself as a popular sporting activity in the district,” release stated. The organisers thanked the participating teams, supporters and spectators for contributing to the success of the tournament.

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