August 19, 2024 – The Dink Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) and DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) presented by Delaware Life, the leading rating software solution in pickleball, are pleased to announce a partnership with the United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A). This collaboration will enhance player experience and equipment standards across all The Dink Minor League Pickleball events.

Effective immediately, paddles certified by UPA-A will be officially recognized for use in all The Dink MiLP competitions. This endorsement underscores The Dink MiLP and DUPR's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of play while offering players more choices when selecting equipment that meets rigorous quality and performance criteria. 

UPA-A has recently introduced its interim paddle certification program, which ensures that all paddles bearing the UPA-A certification meet stringent specifications for fairness and performance. This certification is now fully recognized alongside the existing USAP (USA Pickleball) certified paddles, which will continue to be approved for all The Dink MiLP events.

"We are thrilled to welcome UPA-A certified paddles into our league," said Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR. "This partnership is an important step in upholding the competitive integrity of our events."

UPA-A's leadership expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration. Jason Aspes, President of UPA-A, stated, "We are honored that The Dink MiLP and DUPR have recognized our certification process. This endorsement reaffirms our dedication to elevating the sport of pickleball and ensuring that all equipment used in competition meets the highest standards for the life of the paddle."

Players participating in The Dink MiLP events are encouraged to check for UPA-A or USAP certification labels when selecting their paddles for upcoming competitions. Both The Dink MiLP and DUPR are committed to providing the best possible experience for players and fans alike, and this new recognition is a testament to that commitment.

For more information on the UPA-A Paddle Certification, please visit https://upaa.unitedpickleball.com/paddle-testing/#paddle-list

For more information on The Dink MiLP events, please visit https://officialminorleaguepb.com

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