M3M INDIA family office has entered the sports management space with the acquisition of the NCR franchise in the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), a Times of India Group initiative.
The team, named Capital Warriors Gurgaon, will be led by Payal Kanodia and Aishwarya Bansal from the M3M India family office, who will oversee its strategy, brand development and overall direction.
This investment marks the family office’s second major move into consumer-facing sectors, following its USD 20 million investment for a 55% stake in beauty-tech platform Kult, amid rising demand in India’s beauty and personal-care market.
The decision aligns with M3M’s broader vision of diversifying beyond real estate into lifestyle and wellness categories.
Bansal said, “Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports globally, and India is perfectly positioned to lead this cultural movement. Our entry into the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) is not just an investment in sport, it is an investment in community, youth engagement, and the future of urban experiences. In times to come, we see Pickleball as the second highest in followers after cricket. The Capital Warriors Gurgaon will embody the spirit of new-age India: energetic, inclusive, and globally inspired. We are grateful to the Times of India Group for creating a world-class platform that allows emerging sports to thrive.”
Kanodia added, “With ‘Lakshya’, our flagship sports initiative, at the heart of the nine major programmes of the M3M Foundation this year, we have deepened our commitment to nurturing sporting talent and strengthening sports infrastructure and accessibility across India. Recognising the vital role that sports play in building character, discipline, and resilience, we took a bold step forward by committing to the development of 50 pickleball courts across the country, especially to train and uplift underserved children. By creating infrastructure that inspires active and healthy living, we are opening new pathways for growth, inclusion, and community empowerment.”
She further said, “At the launch of India’s first national government-recognised pickleball league, an extraordinary awareness milestone, The Times of India acknowledged this transformational effort. Together with ‘Capital Warriors Gurgaon’, we are striving to give back to the city we love, envisioning it as a vibrant playground where every child has the opportunity to play, every family finds time to bond, and every elderly citizen finds joy simply by being part of an active, connected community.”
