The much-awaited World Pickleball League is set to kick off this year and an exciting addition to the tournament is filmmaker Atlee best known for directing the 2023 blockbuster Jawan. Atlee and his wife Priya Atlee now own the Bengaluru franchise aptly named Bengaluru Jawans. We feel a deep spiritual connection with Bengaluru a city full of warmth and affection from fans and friends. Its charm and significance in our lives continue to grow Atlee shared in a statement. The Bengaluru Jawans team includes Indian pickleball sensation Vrushali Hammer Thakare known for her aggressive gameplay. She’ll team up with international players Jack Foster Katerina Stewart Trang Hyunh McClain Marcelo Jardim Alejandra Bobaria Felix Grunert and Mauro Garcia. The World Pickleball League co-founded by former Indian tennis players Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar kicks off on January 24. It will bring together 48 players from India and around the globe competing for six franchises. Atlee expressed his excitement for blending entertainment with sports saying “Sports like cinema evokes emotions builds communities and inspires change. The World Pickleball League combines high-energy sports with vibrant entertainment and we’re thrilled to be a part of this journey.” Pickleball a fast-growing sport worldwide is accessible to players of all ages. India currently has over 100000 recreational players and 400–500 professionals. With a 159% growth in players last year it’s expected to surpass one million active players by 2028. Other team owners in the league include Swiggy which owns Team Mumbai and actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu who purchased the Chennai franchise. The World Pickleball League is set to bring sports and entertainment closer making it a fun-filled journey for fans and players alike.