WHEELCHAIR PICKLEBALL FEDERATION OF INDIA (WPFI)

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Wheelchair Pickleball is a modified form of pickleball designed for players who use wheelchairs to participate in competitive sport. It follows the principles of pickleball with specific modifications for wheelchair players in PP51 to PP57 categories, including rules for movement, ball bounce, court access and classification. 

Wheelchair Pickleball Players are classified according to the IPPA Book of Rules and their functional ability. The wheelchair classification system includes PP51, PP52, PP53, PP54, PP55, PP56 and PP57, providing a structured framework for competitive Wheelchair Pickleball. 

 Wheelchair Pickleball follows the IPPA Book of Rules, which establishes the official rules for Para Pickleball competition. Specific Wheelchair Pickleball rules address wheelchair movement, additional ball bounces, serving, court positioning, playing the ball and other modifications for wheelchair players. 

The Wheelchair Pickleball Federation of India (WPFI) is the National Governing Body for Wheelchair Pickleball in India. WPFI promotes and develops Wheelchair Pickleball, supports para pickleball players with disabilities, conducts competitions and classification activities, and works in affiliation with the Para Pickleball Federation of India (PPFI) and the International Para Pickleball Association (IPPA). 

Para Pickleball Federation of India (PPFI) is the National Governing Body for Para Pickleball in India, affiliated with the International Para Pickleball Association (IPPA), the World Governing Body for Para Pickleball. 

The Mandatory Bounce Rule requires the ball to bounce before it can be returned in situations specified under the IPPA Wheelchair Pickleball Rules.  After a serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce at least once before hitting it, and the serving team must also let the return bounce once before playing it. 

Certain wheelchair, Standing, ID & Cerebral Palsy, Dwarf Assisted classifications may be permitted an Additional Bounce under the IPPA Book of Rules. These provisions are designed to accommodate the functional requirements of Para Pickleball Players while maintaining fair and competitive play. 

The IPPA Book of Rules provides specific provisions for wheelchair athletes regarding court positioning, wheelchair movement and the area of play. These rules are designed to maintain fair competition while recognizing the mobility requirements of athletes competing in Wheelchair Pickleball. 

Para Pickleball, including Wheelchair Pickleball, is not yet part of the Paralympic Games. The International Para Pickleball Association (IPPA) is working day and night to promote and develop Para Pickleball globally and to convince the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to recognise and include Para Pickleball in the Paralympic Games. Raghu Kumar Raghavelu, Founder of IPPA and Matt Hansson the IPPA Representative of Oceania have a dream to see Para Pickleball  Players compete on the Paralympic stage and is committed to working tirelessly to make this dream a reality. 

 Persons with eligible disabilities who meet the International Para Pickleball Association (IPPA) eligibility and classification criteria can participate in WPFI-PPFI tournaments. Athletes must complete the required classification process and register with WPFI-PPFI before competing in sanctioned State, National or International events. 

You can register as a WPFI-PPFI Wheelchair Pickleball player by completing the official Player Registration Form and submitting the required disability and identity documents. Athletes must also complete the official classification process. Registered players may become eligible for WPFI-PPFI rankings, championships, coaching and development programs, and national team selection. 

Registered players may receive the following benefits:

• Eligibility to participate in WPFI-PPFI-IPPA sanctioned tournaments, subject to applicable eligibility and classification requirements. 
• Official player classification and inclusion in the National Ranking system, where applicable. 
• Opportunities to be considered for selection to represent India at international competitions. 
• Access to coaching, technical development and certification programs. 
• Greater opportunities for sponsorship, athlete development and participation in the growth of Wheelchair Pickleball.

 The Wheelchair Pickleball Federation of India (WPFI) is affiliated with the Para Pickleball Federation of India (PPFI) and the International Para Pickleball Association (IPPA). WPFI focuses on the development, promotion and administration of Wheelchair Pickleball in India. PPFI is the National Governing Body for Para Pickleball in India and oversees Wheelchair, Standing, Dwarf/Short Stature, Intellectual Disability and Cerebral Palsy Para Pickleball. PPFI establishes national policies, sanctions championships, supports rankings and classification, and oversees the selection of Indian teams for international competitions. 

 The World Ranking System for Para Pickleball, including Wheelchair Pickleball, was designed and structured by Raghu Kumar Raghavelu, Founder of the International Para Pickleball Association (IPPA). The ranking system forms part of the official IPPA Book of Rules and provides a framework for ranking Para Pickleball Players. 

Raghu Kumar Raghavelu is recognized as the Father of Para Pickleball Classification for developing the global framework and structured classification systems for Para Pickleball. His work established classification frameworks for Wheelchair, Standing, Dwarf-Short Stature, Intellectual Disabilities and Cerebral Palsy, helping create fair and structured competition for Para Pickleball Players worldwide.