The global governance of pickleball has taken a turn in recent weeks with the International Pickleball Federation and the World Pickleball Federation announcing plans to merge.
And the European Pickleball Federation has welcomed the move, with president Frank Arico issuing a statement saying: “The decision to merge the IPF and WPF is a courageous and commendable step that reflects the highest ideals of our sport. By putting the interests of pickleball ahead of individual factions, both federations are setting a powerful example for others to follow.”
The initial merger comes ahead of the sport’s official 60th anniversary since its creation in the USA, and launch of the World Pickleball Games.
In a November press release, Arvind Praboo and Seymour Rifkind, leaders of the IPF and WPF respectively, made a joint statement saying: “This merger is about more than just organizations – it’s about uniting our community.
“Together, we will ensure pickleball’s future is bright, inclusive, and accessible to everyone around the world.”
