More than 24 million Americans now play pickleball, making it one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. Racquet sports, following the COVID-19 pandemic, is deemed as one of the most widely-participated activities in the country.
Across North America, this phenomenon is beginning to unfold within the Dawoodi Bohra community. What started as a single tournament has evolved into a circuit of events that players return to and travel for from city to city.
"We wanted to build something that went beyond a single tournament and could scale across North America, with regional centers in different parts of the continent. At times, it felt challenging and even overwhelming. However, with consistency and community support, it has grown to over 500 members today," said Moiz Broachwala, co-founder of the Dawoodi Bohra Racquet Sports Association.
Beginning in Chicago, over the past three years, the organization has grown from one sport to multiple tournaments including tennis, pickleball, badminton, and table tennis across North America, with players travelling from far and wide to compete.
“We knew the players were already out there,” said Huzefa Gulamhusein, the other founder of the association. “They were spread across cities, and what felt missing was a larger space where people could come together, compete, and push each other to improve.”
Chicago hosted early tournaments across tennis and table tennis, later incorporating pickleball. In 2025, Detroit organized a tri-racquet tournament that brought together more than 175 participants. Austin followed with a regional pickleball tournament with more than 75 participants, and in January 2026, New Jersey’s Northeast tournament drew players from across neighboring states.
These athletes are part of an explosive growth in the United States, where more than 23 million people play tennis, making racquet sports among the most widely participated activities in the country. Studies have consistently linked racquet sports to longer life expectancy, improved cardiovascular health, and cognitive sharpness, particularly because they combine physical exertion with rapid decision-making and social interaction.
“Tennis is one of the very few healthy activities that gives the opportunity to bring people together from all walks of life and all ability-levels to participate together as a community,” notes Robin Henders, President and Head Tennis Professional of Five Star Tennis Center, who has partnered with the community to host events.
“We started with individual play, but as interest and participation grew, we evolved into team-based formats,” Husain Boxwalla, lead organizer of the association, said. “That created a stronger sense of camaraderie and unity among players.”
That shift toward teams aligns with what sports psychologists often point to as the real driver of long-term engagement: social belonging. People are more likely to sustain physical activity when it is tied to identity, routine, and relationships, rather than performance alone.
This phenomenon is evident in participants, who range from teenagers to players in their 50s and beyond. Some compete across multiple sports. Others return to the same event year after year.
“As a senior player, I often look for events that balance competitive play with great sportsmanship, and I find exactly that in the community here,” said Dr. Murtaza Hussain, who competed in Chicago at age 62.
“From behind the camera, I witnessed more than just matches—I saw focus, sportsmanship, laughter, and genuine camaraderie,” said Mufaddal Husain, a photographer at the community’s North America Tennis Tournament.
“It has been incredible to watch women flourish in racquet sports,” said Dr. Batul Kaj, who leads women’s events and is part of a segment that is among the fastest-growing in racquet sports nationwide. “We now have members playing regularly, with new teamwork and friendships developing every day.”
MRSA now includes more than 500 members across North America, with plans to expand tournaments across additional regions to keep participation accessible.
“Tennis has always been a source of both enjoyment and relief through all stages of my life,” said Dr. Hussain Malbari, an advisor to the sports association. “Making friendships through the lens of faith and sport has a deeply synergistic effect that nourishes the mind, body, and soul. Being able to find this community has been an incredible experience, and I am excited to see what the future brings and the many bonds we will make through this sporting spirit.”
