The Nagaland Pickleball Association (NPA) has announced the first-ever Nagaland State Pickleball Team that will represent the state at the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) Nationals 2025, to be held from November 13 to 16 at The Sports School, Bengaluru.

This marks a historic milestone as it will be the first time Nagaland and its players compete at the national level, under the banner of the IPA recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), informed the NPA in a press release.

Selected Players

Men’s 30+ Category:

Khriemetuo Pienyu — Singles

David Murry and Tonoto Ayemi — Doubles

Men’s Open Category:

Zhaputso Khate — Singles

Nzamo Kikon and Imsuren Longchar — Doubles

Menuovi Kire — Substitute

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The team will be led by team captain Nzamo Kikon, with Nathan Kaurinta Zeliang serving as the team manager.

Speaking on the selection, Nathan Zeliang, President of the Nagaland Pickleball Association, congratulated the players and expressed confidence that the team will represent Nagaland with excellence and competitive spirit on the national stage — competing with some of the best athletes in the country. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and passion of our players and the rapid growth of pickleball in Nagaland.

This historic representation is not only a victory for the players but also a proud moment for Nagaland’s sports community, as pickleball continues to gain momentum and recognition across India, stated the NPA.