Dimapur, February 28 (MExN): The Nagaland Pickleball Association (NPA) has officially announced the Inaugural Mithun Rhino Pickleball Championship, an interstate tournament between Nagaland and Assam, scheduled to be held on March 14–15, at The Fitness House.
The championship is envisioned as a landmark sporting initiative aimed at strengthening interstate relations through sport and positioning the Northeast as a growing force in pickleball at the national level. The tournament will also serve as a key preparatory platform ahead of the upcoming Northeast Interstate Championship slated for May 2026.
According to the NPA, the Mithun Rhino Pickleball Championship marks the beginning of a long-term sporting movement in the region. The association aims to build a structured competitive pathway for athletes, strengthen interstate sporting relations, develop a sustainable annual pickleball intellectual property (IP) in Nagaland, and prepare players for larger Northeast and national competitions.
Championship Categories
Interstate Team Championships:
• Men’s Interstate Team Championship (2 Men’s Singles + 2 Doubles)
• Men’s Singles (4 players)
• Women’s Doubles (2 teams)
• Men’s Veterans Interstate Team Championship (40+) – Best of 3 doubles
Open Categories:
• Men’s Doubles (4 teams)
• Veterans Doubles 40+ (2 teams)
• Mixed Doubles (4 teams)
• Veterans Doubles 45+ (2 teams)
All matches will be played in a Best of 3 format, with games up to 11 points and a win-by-two (deuce) rule in effect.
Eligibility: The championship is open to registered pickleball players from Nagaland. In the veterans category, players must be aged 40 years and above, with age verification required. Players selected must commit to full participation in the interstate championship.
Awards and Recognition: In the Interstate Team Championships, champion teams will receive championship trophies. In the open categories, individual trophies will be awarded to winners and runners-up. Winner and runner-up certificates will be presented across all categories. Details regarding prize money will be announced in due course.
The NPA has invited all eligible players to register for the state trials and be part of the historic first edition of the championship. For registration and further details, players have been requested to contact the Nagaland Pickleball Association or follow official announcements on NPA platforms.
The announcement regarding the Nagaland State Trials was issued by the Nagaland Pickleball Association on February 28.
