Olympians Pickleball Championship brings out fun side of Hyderabad’s professionals

Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills bore witness to a remarkable gathering on October 11, not of boardrooms or courtrooms, but of paddles and light-footed volleys.

At the Olympians Pickleball Championship – Season 1, professionals from law, medicine, tech, business, politics, engineering and event management converged on the court, swapping suits and presentations for sneakers and serves.

What once might have been reserved for golf tees and fairways, corporate networking through sport, has a fresh face.

At the heart of the shift lies pickleball: accessible, fast-paced, low barrier, and highly social. Hosted by the Olympians Arena Pickleball Club, the event celebrated the growing popularity of the sport among Hyderabad’s corporate and social circles.

From invitations to opening serve

Invitations had gone out weeks in advance, promising spirited rivalry and community bonding.

The creatively named teams, Rolie Polie, The Net Ninjas, Kitchen Commandos, Balls of Fury, The Titans, Smash Squad, Ball Breakers, Dink Floyd and Double Trouble, brought humour and personality to the competition.

At 4 pm, the courts at Olympians Arena came alive as participants and spectators streamed in. Doctors greeted engineers, event managers traded paddle tips with lawyers, and tech professionals laughed alongside politicians.

Matches ran through the evening, alternating between singles and doubles, testing reflexes and strategy more than stamina.

Competition and Outcomes: Who lifted the trophy?

The evening witnessed intense rallies, dramatic saves and plenty of laughter, all in the spirit of fair play.

After a thrilling series of doubles matches, Team Double Trouble, comprising Dr Ravi Andrews and Preetham Reddy, emerged as the champions of the Olympians Pickleball Championship 2025.

Their quick coordination, sharp reflexes, and on-court chemistry saw them overcome The Titans, represented by Ashish Dara and Naveen Reddy Kandukuri, who finished as runners-up after a closely contested final.

The highlight of the evening was the presence of Sai Dharam Tej, actor and entrepreneur, who graced the event as Chief Guest. His encouragement and interaction with players added glamour and inspiration to the championship.

In his address, he praised the organisers for ‘bringing together Hyderabad’s professional community through a sport that blends fitness, focus, and fun.’

Winners and runners-up were felicitated amid loud cheers, with medals and trophies presented to mark their achievement and sportsmanship.

Beyond the Scoreboard: Why this event matters

- Democratising the corporate sport

Golf might have once been the default for corporate networking, but it required expense, time, and infrastructure. Pickleball levels the playing field.

The Olympians event brought together people of varying sporting backgrounds and business stature, all meeting on equal terms at the net.

- Branding for bonds (and business)

While competition was real, many participants admitted their primary aim was conversation.

Over shared games, people explored collaborations, pitched ideas, or simply found new friends in Hyderabad’s professional landscape. The brevity of the matches allowed for more social interaction than traditional corporate sports.

- Growing the ecosystem

Beyond the rallies and final scores, the Championship served as a catalyst for Hyderabad’s emerging pickleball scene. For newcomers and onlookers, it offered an approachable introduction to a sport that is now sweeping the world.

- Moments that stood out

On the sidelines, doctors joked about ‘treating sore winners’ while lawyers confessed he’d found a new way to ‘serve notices.’

The energy, the banter, and the easy laughter that carried through the evening reflected the true spirit of pickleball, equal parts competition and community.

Final thought

The Olympians Pickleball Championship 2025 proved that sport can do what meetings and mixers often can’t: connect people beyond their professions. With its blend of simplicity, social energy, and inclusivity, pickleball is steadily becoming what golf once was: the game that brings everyone to the same table, or in this case, to the same court.