Padel news: Pakistan set to host its first international padel tournament in October
Pakistan is set to make history later this month as it welcomes its first-ever international padel tournament.
Here, Sports News Blitz's Shameeka Voyiya looks at how the Asia Pacific Padel Tour (APPT) Grand Slam is bringing global competition to Karachi’s Legends Arena.
APPT Grand Slam heads to Karachi
The Asia Pacific Padel Tour (APPT) Grand Slam will make its way, for the first time, to Karachi’s Legends Arena in Pakistan. It will be held from October 30 to November 2.
The tournament will feature professional men’s and women’s competitions, as well as men’s, women’s and mixed amateur events, with a total of $13,000 prize money up for grabs.
The amateur prizes include padel equipment such as rackets, shoes, padel bags and backpacks.
Legends Arena soon became a hotspot for the growth of padel since its opening two years ago.
Pakistan now has over 350 courts, with Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Faisalabad emerging as key hubs.
“When we started two years ago there was a lot of interest in padel but the standard wasn’t that high as everyone was just learning. But now, in two years, I can see it's a very different standard of padel here,” said Jahangir Khan, chairman of Legends Arena, according to Eastern Eye.
“Having the international tournament here at Legends Arena will be a boost to the younger generation, especially those taking up this sport very seriously.
“It will also give our players the opportunity to see what level they are at. I am confident that in the future, we just might have some of the top players from here as well.”
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Global recognition for Pakistan
Legends Arena also hosted the Pakistan Padel Open last year, which was one of the biggest padel tournaments ever held in the country.
As one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide, padel is gaining popularity in Pakistan, with more facilities and competitive opportunities emerging for enthusiasts and professionals, and the Pakistan Padel Federation actively paving the way to increase its prominence.
“We are excited to come to Pakistan for the first time and bring international competition to the country. It is a pleasure to do so in collaboration with Legends Arena,” said APPT CEO Carlos Carrillo.
Talal Shah Khan, CEO of Total Sports and Legends Arena, added: “Bringing the Asia Pacific Padel Tour Grand Slam to Karachi is a proud moment for all of us at Legends Arena and for Pakistan’s growing padel community.”
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