Grav8 Sports Enlists Saina Nehwal and Armaan Bhatia as Partners

Grav8 Sports, a company founded by RJ Anmol, has recently announced the addition of two prominent athletes to its partnership roster: Olympic badminton medalist Saina Nehwal and Asia's top-ranked pickleball player Armaan Bhatia. This move enhances Grav8's commitment to creating exclusive sports experiences tailored for senior executives and C-suite professionals across India.

The company made headlines in 2025 when it launched the country's first ever CXO Pickleball League in Mumbai. The inaugural season featured 16 teams competing across 31 matches, drawing participation from senior leaders of major corporations such as Barclays, HDFC ERGO, Hitachi Systems, WNS, DSK Legal, V3 Ventures, Spotify, KPMG, Adidas, and Google. The league also attracted notable figures like industrialist Dr Niranjan Hiranandani, alongside Saina Nehwal and RJ Anmol.

Following the success of the initial event, Grav8 expanded its footprint to include other major Indian cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, and Pune. It also introduced a second sports property, the CXO Baddy League, which held its first edition on October 18 at the NSCI Dome in Mumbai. Saina Nehwal serves as the brand ambassador for the CXO Baddy League, with partners such as HDFC ERGO, Yotta Data Services, and Regalia Business Parks supporting the event.

Saina Nehwal brings nearly two decades of international sports experience, having won an Olympic bronze medal and holding the former World No. 1 spot in badminton. Her involvement with Grav8 began with the CXO Pickleball League, where she has been a brand ambassador since its inception, lending her credibility and visibility to the initiative.

Armaan Bhatia, who currently holds the number one ranking in Asia for pickleball, adds another layer of professional insight to Grav8's ventures. In 2024, he claimed titles in men’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles at the PWR DUPR India Masters. Bhatia remains active on the international professional circuit, including competing on the PPA Tour.

RJ Anmol, the founder of Grav8 Sports, highlighted the significance of these partnerships by saying, "Grav8 was built to create a premium sporting environment for India’s senior business professionals. Saina brings unmatched credibility from elite international sport, while Armaan brings current professional expertise from paddle sport. Their association strengthens both the sporting and leadership dimensions of what we are building."

Speaking on their involvement, Saina Nehwal commented, "Pickleball has grown significantly in India, and the company has created a differentiated platform by bringing the senior business professionals into the sport. I am happy to be associated with its growth and with the larger vision of building premium sporting experiences."

Armaan Bhatia also shared his perspective, stating, "Pickleball is developing rapidly in India, both as a professional sport and as a recreational format. The company is taking it into a premium space for the C-suite, and I am excited to contribute my experience as a professional player to this journey."

Grav8 Sports is carving out a niche by connecting high-level professionals with competitive sports leagues, which not only promote wellness and networking but also foster a community around emerging sports like pickleball. The involvement of athletes with international standing supports the company's vision of elevating the profile of these sports within corporate India.

As the sports entertainment market in India continues to evolve, initiatives like Grav8’s leagues reflect a growing trend where business leaders engage with fitness and competition beyond traditional formats. This approach aligns with a broader global movement emphasizing health, leadership, and team dynamics among executives.