Hemal Jain is the Founder & Partner of Global Sports, India’s leading pickleball ecosystem, and a prominent real estate developer based in Mumbai. A passionate sports entrepreneur Hemal has dedicated his career to building businesses that create lasting impact through sport.
After discovering pickleball in November 2021, Hemal immediately recognized the sport’s potential to become one of India’s next major sporting movements. Driven by this vision, he founded Global Sports with the mission of creating a complete pickleball ecosystem rather than simply organizing tournaments.
Today, Global Sports has established itself as one of the country’s most influential pickleball organizations, with operations spanning world-class pickleball infrastructure, premium playing facilities, tournament management, player development, coaching, equipment distribution, sports marketing, leagues, and strategic partnerships.
Hemal’s entrepreneurial vision is to make pickleball accessible across India by developing world-class infrastructure, creating opportunities for players of every age and skill level, and building a sustainable ecosystem that supports athletes, coaches, brands, and communities. His long-term goal is to position India as one of the world’s leading pickleball destinations while inspiring the next generation of players through innovation, professionalism, and excellence.
Under his leadership, Global Sports continues to set new benchmarks for the sport in India by organizing marquee tournaments, expanding playing infrastructure, forging international partnerships, and driving the overall growth of the pickleball industry.
Suresh Bhansali is the Co-Founder & Partner of Global Sports and a respected stockbroker based in Mumbai. A passionate athlete with a deep commitment to pickleball, he began his journey in the sport in September 2018 and has since established himself as one of India’s most accomplished senior players.
With numerous National and International medals to his name, including podium finishes at prestigious tournaments in Germany, Phuket, and other global destinations, Suresh has consistently represented India with distinction on the international stage.
Ranked among the Top 5 pickleball players in India in the 50+ category, Suresh combines elite competitive experience with a vision to grow the sport across the country. As Co-Founder of Global Sports, he plays a pivotal role in player development, tournament excellence, and building a world-class pickleball ecosystem that inspires players of all ages to embrace the game.
Niraj S. Jain is the Co-Founder & Partner of Global Sports and a successful construction entrepreneur specializing in government infrastructure contracts. While he has built a strong reputation in the construction industry, his true passion lies in sports and the continued growth of pickleball in India.
A dedicated pickleball enthusiast and accomplished player, Niraj brings the same precision and discipline from his construction business to the world of sports. As the operational backbone of Global Sports, he oversees logistics, scheduling, venue operations, and tournament execution, ensuring every event is delivered with professionalism and efficiency.
Known for his meticulous planning and problem-solving abilities, Niraj has played a pivotal role in establishing Global Sports as one of India’s leading pickleball organizations. His commitment to operational excellence and seamless event management has helped create exceptional experiences for players, partners, and spectators alike, while supporting the company’s vision of building a world-class pickleball ecosystem across the country.
Shashank Khaitan is an Indian filmmaker, writer, director and sports entrepreneur who is a co-founder of Global Sports Pickleball (GSP). A former competitive tennis player, Khaitan became involved in pickleball and partnered with Global Sports to help build the sport’s ecosystem in India. Under his involvement, GSP has focused on organizing tournaments and leagues, developing players and academies, creating pickleball infrastructure, and bringing international-level opportunities to Indian players. He has been instrumental in positioning pickleball as both a competitive sport and an entertainment property in India.
Yuvraj Ruia is an Indian professional pickleball player and entrepreneur who is a partner at Global Sports Pickleball and has played a key role in building the sport’s ecosystem in India. Having spent several years in the US pickleball circuit, including competing professionally, Ruia returned to Mumbai with the aim of growing pickleball in India. He has represented India on international tours and has developed strong relationships with players and coaches globally. At Global Sports, he combines his experience as a professional player with his business interests, serving as a player ambassador and helping drive tournaments, leagues, partnerships and the broader growth of pickleball in India.
