News DeskDubai, UAE – The inaugural Dubai Open Padel Academies Championship wrapped up with strong participation and standout performances, underscoring Dubai’s growing role in nurturing junior talent in one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.
Organised by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) in cooperation with the UAE Padel Association and in partnership with World Padel Academy, the new championship forms part of a wider strategy to identify and develop emerging padel players through structured training and competitive pathways.
More than 70 players representing 14 academies across the UAE competed in four age categories — Under 12, Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18. Each participant played a minimum of three group-stage matches followed by two qualifying or placement games, ensuring a comprehensive competitive experience.
Rashid Walid of the UAE Padel Association Academy was named Best Player of the Tournament for his consistent performances and commendable sportsmanship.
Category Winners
Under 12
Winners: Farnam Kian & Adrian Rodriguez
Runners-up: Mehdi Abid & Hassan Ahmed Magdi AbouZaid
Under 14
Winners: Arseny Solovev & Adam Hammoud
Runners-up: Fares Nasser & Eisa Ahli
Under 16
Winners: Rashid Walid & Majid Al Abdullah
Runners-up: Hamdan Alkokhardi & Eisa Ahli
Under 18
Winners: Ahmed Almheiri & Rashid Walid
Runners-up: Hamdan Alkokhardi & Hamad Alkokhardi
Officials Highlight Development Impact
Saeed Al Marri, Secretary-General of the UAE Padel Association, said the collaboration between the Association, DSC and private academies supports a long-term vision for disciplined grassroots development. “We are providing young players with training and competition at a high level, which is a direct investment in the future of padel across the country,” he said.
Ahmed Salem Al Mahri, Director of Sports Talent Development at DSC, said the council places talent identification at the core of its mandate. He noted that DOPA strengthens efforts to build a sustainable pool of young athletes and aligns with Dubai’s broader Open tournament series across multiple sports. He confirmed that the council will continue expanding initiatives that reinforce Dubai’s position as a regional hub for developing sports talent.
Ali Al Aref, CEO of World Padel Academy, said the initiative gives juniors a platform to pursue higher goals. “We believe in making padel accessible and inspiring. This partnership helps prepare the next generation through structured training, guidance and real competitive opportunities,” he said.
Expanding the Junior Padel Ecosystem
The Dubai Open Padel Academies Championship is expected to grow into a key pillar of the emirate’s junior development system, offering rising players clearer pathways toward high-performance competition. With increasing participation and institutional backing, Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a regional leader in developing youth padel talent.
