Bollywood superstar Salman Khan made a surprise appearance at the Season 3 kick-off conference of the World Padel League (WPL) in Mumbai, showing his support for his brother Sohail Khan, who was unveiled as the owner of the new team Khan Tigers. The league, co-founded by tennis icon Mahesh Bhupathi, will take place from August 12 to 16 at the NESCO Center in Goregaon, Mumbai.
During the event, Salman was asked whether he had ever considered owning a team in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The actor responded with his signature wit and honesty: "We’re too old for the IPL now… we were offered a team a long time ago, but didn’t take it. And it’s not like we regret that decision either. We’re happy—very happy—with the ISPL. That’s more our style—tennis ball cricket, gully cricket… the kind we actually play. The big leagues are not really for us, we’re better off here."
Meanwhile, Sohail Khan, stepping into the world of padel sports with the Khan Tigers, expressed high hopes for the league’s future:
"I really want this league to grow as big as the IPL one day. But that won’t happen until Indian athletes start playing padel. That’s the only way it will grow. It all depends on how much the media promotes it and whether kids start picking it up."
The World Padel League, still in its early years, blends fast-paced sport with entertainment, attracting celebrities and athletes alike. With Bollywood names like Salman and Sohail Khan associated with it, the league’s popularity is expected to get a significant boost this season. As India’s sports landscape diversifies beyond cricket, efforts like these show a strong push toward popularizing emerging sports like padel among the masses.
Season 3 of the WPL kicks off tomorrow, August 12, and runs till August 16 at NESCO, Mumbai.
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