News DeskDubai: In a thrilling showcase of youth talent, the second Dubai Open Padel Academies Championship (DOPA) wrapped up last week to widespread acclaim. The two-day event – organised by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) in cooperation with the UAE Padel Federation and World Padel Academy – brought together the UAE’s top junior players. According to local media reports, the championship “concluded with major success” as part of DSC’s strategy to discover and nurture young athletes in one of the world’s fastest‑growing sports. The tournament aims to broaden padel’s reach among juniors by offering structured, high‑level competition and training opportunities.
Each participant at DOPA was guaranteed a full competition schedule. The format gave every player at least three group-stage matches, followed by two additional classification games. This ensured a “complete and fair competitive experience” for all entrants. Over the course of two days, boys’ academy teams competed across multiple age brackets (Under‑12, 14, 16, 18), demonstrating both strong participation and a high technical standard on court.
In the boys’ divisions, the championship produced the following winners:
- Under-12: Matias Esquivel & Vaineios Grigas
- Under-14: Adam Mahmoud & Yasser Kenani
- Under-16: Yousef Al Hashimi & Abdulaziz Al Zarooni
These young champions were presented with trophies by Ahmed Salem Al Mahri, Director of Sports Talent Management at DSC, and Mohammed Noor Maamar, Technical Coordinator at the UAE Padel Federation.
DSC officials emphasised that DOPA is a key part of a broader youth development programme. Al Mahri noted that “talent identification and development” are at the forefront of the council’s agenda and embedded in its UAE Sports Plan 2033. He explained that the academies championship provides “a genuine competitive environment” where juniors can “demonstrate their abilities and refine their skills”. Al Mahri added that the event fits into a strategic plan to build a wide base of sporting talent in Dubai, and he highlighted how it complements Dubai’s series of “Dubai Open” tournaments in other sports (football, basketball, handball, tennis, gymnastics and badminton). He expressed pleasure with the second edition’s outcomes and said the DSC will keep expanding such initiatives to strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading hub for sports talent development.
Padel’s rapid growth among youth was also noted. Local reports observed that the competition’s wide participation and high level of play underline “the rapid rise of padel” in younger age groups. The strong performances and competitive spirit on display highlighted emerging talents and an expanding community around the sport in the emirate.
Looking Ahead
Organisers say the championship is an important stepping stone toward a sustainable junior padel calendar in Dubai. By giving young players valuable competitive experience in a professionally run, internationally aligned setting, DOPA reinforces the DSC’s commitment to youth development. As one report concludes, the tournament “continues to serve as an important platform” for building future padel talent, aligning with Dubai’s goal of becoming a regional centre for youth‑focused padel development.
