History of Pesäpallo
From its invention in Finland to its growth in India — the remarkable journey of Pesäpallo.
Key Founders & Leadership
The visionaries behind the game and its journey to India.
Lauri "Tahko" Pihkala
Inventor of Pesäpallo
The inventor of Pesäpallo and one of the most influential figures in Finland's sporting history. He developed the game in the 1920s, creating Finland's national sport that has endured for over 100 years.
- • Invented Pesäpallo – Finland's national sport
- • Olympic athlete (1908, 1912)
- • Finland's first professional athletics coach
- • Honorary doctorate in Sport Sciences (1969)
- • Memorial sculpture at Helsinki Olympic Stadium
Chetan Pagawad
Founder & General Secretary – Pesäpallo Federation of India
Pioneering figure who introduced Pesäpallo to India and established the sport across Asia. Founder of both the Asian Pesäpallo Federation and Pesäpallo Federation of India.
- • First person to introduce Pesäpallo in India (2007)
- • Founded Pesäpallo Federation of India (2010)
- • First Finnish-qualified professional coach in India (2017)
- • Led India's first World Cup participation (2017)
- • Indian Women's Team won Bronze Medal at World Cup 2017
Sachin Nevrekar
President – Pesäpallo Federation of India
Current President of Pesäpallo Federation of India, leading the organization in its mission to develop and promote Pesäpallo across the country.
- • President of Pesäpallo Federation of India
- • Supporting national and international championships
- • Promoting Pesäpallo at grassroots level
- • Building partnerships with state associations
- • Advancing Pesäpallo development programs
