Guwahati, May 2, 2026: In a significant achievement for Indian racquet sports, Assam-based pickleball coach Nazneen Rahman has been selected as one of just 20 women from around the world for the inaugural “Women Who Rally” leadership cohort, a prestigious global initiative dedicated to empowering women coaches and strengthening female leadership in racquet sports.
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| Assam Pickleball Coach Nazneen Rahman Selected for Global ‘Women Who Rally’ Leadership Programme |
Rahman, who serves as the Secretary of the Assam Pickleball Association, earned her place in the highly competitive programme through an international selection process that assessed candidates on their leadership potential, commitment to athlete development, and contributions to promoting racquet sports at the grassroots level.
The 10-month leadership development programme has been jointly launched by the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) and the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR). Designed to nurture the next generation of female leaders in tennis and pickleball, the initiative seeks to provide women coaches with the knowledge, skills, and global exposure needed to excel both on and off the court.
The programme brings together an international cohort of coaches representing diverse countries and sporting backgrounds. Throughout the 10-month journey, participants will undergo intensive leadership training, receive mentorship from experienced professionals, participate in advanced coaching education, and collaborate with fellow coaches through peer-learning opportunities. They will also build a global professional network aimed at promoting greater participation of women in coaching and sports leadership.
Expressing her excitement over the selection, Rahman described it as a tremendous honour and a valuable opportunity to learn from accomplished women leaders from across the world.
“I am deeply honoured to be selected for the inaugural Women Who Rally leadership cohort. This programme offers an incredible opportunity to learn from inspiring women leaders, exchange ideas with coaches from different countries, and bring those experiences back to India. I hope to use this knowledge to further develop pickleball in Assam and encourage more women to take up coaching and leadership roles in sport,” she said.
Congratulating Rahman on the achievement, Dilip Mohanty, Director of PTR India, said her selection was a proud moment not only for Assam but also for the entire Indian racquet sports community.
He noted that initiatives such as “Women Who Rally” play a vital role in creating future women leaders in sports by providing access to international mentoring, education, and professional development. According to him, Rahman's accomplishment is expected to inspire many aspiring women coaches across the country to pursue careers in coaching and sports administration.
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Pickleball, one of the world's fastest-growing sports, has witnessed remarkable growth in India over the past few years, with increasing participation across age groups and the establishment of state-level associations in several regions, including Assam. Officials believe that global leadership programmes such as this will contribute significantly to raising coaching standards, expanding grassroots participation, and strengthening the long-term development of pickleball in India.
Rahman's selection is being viewed as a milestone for Assam's emerging sports ecosystem and a testament to the growing recognition of Indian coaches on the international stage.
