Mumbai: Reinforcing its commitment to holistic education and future-ready learning, Birla Open Minds has announced a strategic collaboration with Padel Tennis Federation to introduce world-class padel and pickleball infrastructure across its school network in a phased manner. The collaboration marks a significant step towards integrating globally emerging sports into school education, giving students access to international sporting experiences while nurturing physical fitness, discipline, teamwork and sporting excellence.

As part of the collaboration, dedicated padel and pickleball courts will be developed across Birla Open Minds campuses in the coming phases. The initiative is designed to make these fast-growing sports accessible to students within their own school environment, enabling them to discover new sporting avenues while encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle from an early age.

Recognised as two of the fastest-growing sports globally, padel and pickleball have witnessed tremendous popularity across Europe, the Middle East and the United States. By bringing these sports into its campuses, Birla Open Minds is creating opportunities for students to engage with globally relevant athletic disciplines, develop new skills and compete on emerging sporting platforms.

Beyond infrastructure development, the collaboration also aims to nurture grassroots talent by encouraging participation, structured coaching programmes and competitive exposure. The initiative aligns with Birla Open Minds’ philosophy of delivering education that extends beyond academics and prepares students with life skills, resilience, confidence and leadership through sports.

Speaking on the partnership, Mr Nirvaan Birla, Managing Director, Birla Open Minds, said: “At Birla Open Minds, we believe education is about preparing children for life, not just examinations. Sports play an indispensable role in building character, resilience, leadership and confidence. Padel and pickleball represent the future of recreational and competitive sports, and we are excited to introduce these global games across our campuses. This partnership is another step towards creating learning environments that inspire students to think globally, stay active and embrace opportunities beyond conventional boundaries. We are delighted to collaborate with Padel Tennis Federation in shaping a new sporting culture within Indian schools.”

Mr Bakul Rajput, President, Padel Tennis Federation, added: “The future of Indian sports lies in introducing children to diverse sporting disciplines at a young age. Birla Open Minds has demonstrated remarkable vision by becoming one of the first school networks to integrate padel and pickleball into its campuses. This partnership is not merely about building courts; it is about building aspirations, creating pathways for young athletes and establishing a strong grassroots ecosystem for sports that are rapidly gaining international recognition. We look forward to nurturing the next generation of champions together.”

The partnership reflects Birla Open Minds’ continued focus on experiential learning, innovation and holistic student development. By combining world-class education with international sporting opportunities, the institution is redefining what it means to build future-ready campuses where students are empowered to excel both inside and outside the classroom.

Bangalore, July 02, 2026: Canadian International School (CIS), Bangalore, has officially announced that it will host the country’s first-ever IronKids Triathlon on August 09, 2026, as part of the globally celebrated IRONMAN® legacy and India’s first triathlon experience designed exclusively for young athletes, ushering in a new era for youth fitness and multisport competition in the region.

Designed to foster a love for physical fitness, resilience, and healthy competition, the triathlon is open to children between the ages of 6 and 16. It will be a non-competitive event with Triathlon, aquathlon and run only segments. For young athletes looking for a classic multi-sport experience, the triathlon combines swimming, cycling, and running into one continuous event. It’s a wonderful way to build endurance and transition skills.

To ensure that the event is inclusive yet appropriately challenging for all growth stages, the triathlon features three distinct age-appropriate categories spanning swimming, cycling, and running. This progressive structure allows children to build confidence and endurance in an inspiring environment where sport and community come together.

Shweta Sastri, Managing Director, Canadian International School, said, “We are incredibly proud to pioneer the very first IronKids Triathlon in India. At CIS, we believe in well-rounded development, and sports play a massive role in building character, grit, and determination. This event isn’t just about winning; it’s about providing a safe, world-class platform for kids of all athletic abilities across Bangalore and India to challenge themselves, stay active, and cross a historic finish line.”

Canadian International School will support all the infrastructure necessary for both pre-event activities and race-day experiences.  The event will take place entirely within and around the state-of-the-art campus of Canadian International School in Yelahanka, Bangalore. CIS is equipped with a short-course swimming pool, secure cycling routes, and dedicated running tracks, ensuring the highest standards of safety, medical supervision, and race tracking for every participant.