Dubai launches junior padel pathway with academy event

Dubai has staged the first Dubai Open Padel Academies Championship, marking a new step in the city’s junior padel programme.

The event was organised by the Dubai Sports Council in cooperation with the UAE Padel Association, with World Padel Academy as a partner. It forms part of a wider plan to identify young players and give them regular competition as the sport continues to grow in the UAE.

More than 70 players from 14 academies took part, competing across four age groups: under 12, under 14, under 16 and under 18. The format guaranteed match time for every player, with group games followed by placement or qualifying matches.

Rashid Walid, from the UAE Padel Association Academy, was named Best Player of the Tournament after a series of consistent performances across the week.

Results

Under 12

Winners: Farnam Kian and Adrian Rodriguez
Runners-up: Mehdi Abid and Hassan Ahmed Magdi AbouZaid

Under 14

Winners: Arseny Solovev and Adam Hammoud
Runners-up: Fares Nasser and Eisa Ahli

Under 16

Winners: Rashid Walid and Majid Al Abdullah
Runners-up: Hamdan Alkokhardi and Eisa Ahli

Under 18

Winners: Ahmed Almheiri and Rashid Walid
Runners-up: Hamdan Alkokhardi and Hamad Alkokhardi

Saeed Al Marri, secretary general of the UAE Padel Association, said the championship reflects a long-term approach to junior development, built around cooperation between governing bodies and private academies.

Ahmed Salem Al Mahri, director of sports talent development at the Dubai Sports Council, said the event now sits alongside other Dubai Open competitions across football, basketball, tennis, gymnastics and badminton, with a focus on identifying and supporting young athletes.

Ali Al Aref, chief executive of World Padel Academy, said the tournament gives junior players a clear target and regular exposure to competitive match play.

The Dubai Open Padel Academies Championship is expected to become a fixture in the junior calendar, offering a structured pathway for young players aiming to progress through the sport in the UAE.