At some point, almost every pickleball player wonders: what if I could run my own club or tournament? For most, it stays just an idea. But for Indrajit Dhar, an Indian player who picked up his first paddle in 2021, it became a reality.

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What started as a casual hobby quickly turned into a passion, and then into a thriving pickleball community that now runs tournaments at five different DUPR Clubs across Illinois, including his own. 

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Interested in starting your own DUPR Club? Fill out this form.

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It All Started Over a Beer

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Indrajit first tried pickleball during the pandemic. He bought his first paddle on Amazon, stepped onto the court, and like so many others, was hooked instantly. Within months, he was drilling, learning from top players, and entering his first tournaments.

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That first tournament? He won. And while celebrating with his partner over a post-match beer, a new idea was born: why not run our own tournament?

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Soon after, Indrajit discovered DUPR. He recalls the excitement of seeing his rating jump after each win:

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“Seeing my rating move up from a 3.5 to a 3.9 felt like getting an A+ in school. DUPR gave me a way to measure progress, and that motivated me even more.”

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Today, Dhar’s DUPR pickleball rating is 5.043!

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Building a Pickleball Digital Club

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In July 2023, Indrajit hosted his first tournament at a local park. It was a success, and he quickly realized he had tapped into something bigger: people loved his events, and they wanted more.

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He launched a Facebook page, ID & Friends Pickleball, to keep players connected. From there, the momentum exploded. Tournaments grew, prize money increased, and the community kept coming back. By October 2025, he will be hosting his seventh tournament with over $5,000 in cash prizes.

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Players weren’t just signing up for the competition; they were chasing their DUPR ratings. Every match result was entered into DUPR, giving players a measurable way to track their progress and climb divisions.

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Expanding to Five DUPR Clubs

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As word spread, local facilities took notice. Life Sport Athletic Club approached Indrajit to be a brand ambassador for their DUPR pickleball clubs. With four locations all running DUPR leagues, Indrajit now helps oversee tournaments and events across five DUPR Clubs in Illinois.

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To join ID’s club, click here.

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He’s not just a tournament director; he’s become a mentor for younger players, even training juniors who are already winning medals at PPA events.

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The Challenges Behind the Scenes

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Indrajit recalls the early days, when players were skeptical to pay entry fees for an unknown tournament. Building trust took time, but once the community saw his dedication to giving players a great experience, the sign-ups never stopped. Today, his events fill up almost instantly.

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Advice for Other Directors

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Indrajit’s story shows that anyone with a paddle and some passion can build a club with DUPR’s help. His advice to other directors trying to reach full capacity?

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1. Prioritize your players.
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“My first priority has always been my participants. Treat them like customers and make sure they feel important and have a great experience.”

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2. Start with community, not just marketing.
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“Before Facebook and Instagram, you need to show up at local courts, play, help others, and build loyalty. The community will carry you.”

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‍3. Deliver value from day one.
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“My first tournament cost only $10 to enter, but I made sure players walked away with more, including sponsor gifts, a smooth experience, and real value. That built the trust that keeps them coming back.”

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The Takeaway

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In just three years, Indrajit went from a casual player to running tournaments across five DUPR Clubs, winning medals at Minor League Nationals, and mentoring the next generation of players. His story is proof that with passion, consistency, and a little help from DUPR, anyone can build a thriving pickleball community.

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If one person can do it, so can you.

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Interested in starting your own DUPR Club? Fill out this form.