Suraj Desai, an outstanding tennis player associated with the Income Tax Department in Ahmedabad, has achieved a new milestone as he secured the Silver Medal along with his team member, Himansh Mehta, at the Pickleball World Cup 2024 in Lima, Peru. The achievement is crucial because players from 36 countries participated in the tournament.
Desai, who was recruited into the Income Tax Department under the Meritorious Sports Quota for tennis, has earned numerous medals at both state and departmental levels. This time, this medal marks his first major international achievement.
He along with his teammates from the New Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), were selected to compete in the ‘Open Category’ of the tournament. Accompanying him in the Open Category are: Dhiren Patel, Himansh Mehta, Rakshika Ravi and Anshi Sheth.
In the ‘Seniors Category’, India will be represented by Nozer Smalsadiwala, Kiran Salian, Bela Kotwani and Sujay Parekh.
Principal Chief Commissioner of the Income Tax Department in Gujarat, Yeshwant Chavan, along with his team, has been actively fostering sports development within the department and the state.
“Their support and encouragement have been instrumental in promoting sporting talent like Desai’s, especially through initiatives led by the Income Tax Sports & Recreation Club, Gujarat,” the statement read.
Durga Dutt, Commissioner of Income Tax and Club President, expressed gratitude to the team for their continued efforts to bolster sports in the department.
“Thank full to the entire Pr CC office team for taking pain for development of sports in the department in Gujarat,” the statement added.
Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, President of the IPA, praised the dedication of Team India and conveyed his support for the athletes representing the country on this global stage.
Last month, IPA in partnership with Pickleball World Rankings (PWR), announced its participation in the Pickleball World Cup 2024 which is ongoing from October 22 to 27.
As India’s premier governing body for pickleball, the IPA has been invited to send two teams to compete on the global stage. At the recently concluded selection trials in Ahmedabad, organised under the aegis of the IPA and the Gujarat State Pickleball Association (GSPA), nine talented players were selected to represent India.
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