In the mix of a plethora of governing bodies, the Global Pickleball Federation also finds itself swimming for recognition of the sport into Olympics.
The Global Pickleball Federation is unique for the fact that it is an agglomeration of continental pickleball federations. These include the Pickleball Federations of Asia, Europe, Africa, Europe, Oceania. The primary objective of the Global Pickleball Federation is to view the pickleball community through a global lens, promoting inclusivity for its members.
The Global Pickleball Federation’s objectives are to encourage the promotion of recreational, competitive, and professional pickleball alike. Member countries receive an exclusive package of resources regarding the rules of pickleball, and educational sources in terms of training and development of pickleball officials. It also aids nations in building it’s pickleball community and players, especially by promoting the development of junior players.
The federation outlines its objectives as Active 8. This includes marketing and communication, multi-sport events, coaching instructions, rules and regulations, revenue generation, community development, membership and services, and tournament, rankings and ratings.
An international series of tournaments was initiated by the Global Pickleball Federation. This was the Global Tournament Series and it commenced in 2024. As of 2024, it has 52 member nations and 36.80 million pickleball players. A member nation of the federation receives 30 Pickleball kits including the paddle, pickleballs, and net.
The federation also launched the first international court and game finder program in a collaborative project with Pickleheads. In its first annual general meeting, the Global Pickleball Federation also proposed the inception of the ‘Pickleball Cup’ as a major global pickleball event.
The Global Pickleball Federation continues to grow and is a major contender for securing the Olympic bid for the sport.
