Doha: The Aspire Academy has wrapped up the 2024 FIP World Padel Championships for juniors in a first-of-its-kind event to be hosted by Qatar. The event was held at the Padel Courts in Aspire Zone, coinciding with Aspire Academy’s celebrations marking its 20th anniversary.
According to Qatar News Agency, Deputy Director of Aspire Academy, Ali Salem Afifa, affirmed that the tournament was held in conjunction with the 20th-anniversary celebrations of Aspire Academy and was the first of its kind in Qatar as part of the global circuit of FIP Junior Tour Aspire Academy. He added that the event showcased young talents representing the future of padel in Qatar and around the globe, affirming that this success undoubtedly strengthens Qatar’s position as a leading sports hub and reflects Aspire’s commitment to supporting the active youth movement in padel, bringing promising players from around the globe to compete in Qatar.
Director of Marketing and Communication at Aspire Academy Al Anoud Saeed Al Misnad, highligh
ted to Qatar News Agency that the organization of this global tour was intended to promote padel in Qatar, stating that the partnership with the Qatar Padel Federation helped Aspire Academy take a regional lead in this sport, especially as it is one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide. Al Misnad explained that Aspire has strengthened Qatar’s presence on the international padel scene, since organizing this event underscores the Academy’s commitment to nurturing young athletes and positioning Qatar as a central hub for the growth of padel in the Middle East.
Technical Director of Padel at Aspire Academy, Mariano Amat, emphasized the importance of hosting events with the participation of global teams to enhance competitive capabilities and align with international standards, indicating that this type of event is crucial for elevating the padel program to match international levels, such as those in Spain. He highlighted that hosting prestigious teams, like the Spanish teams, enhances competitiveness and pro
vides valuable opportunities to test and evaluate the program in the Academy.
The event featured 22 teams from Qatar, Spain, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Kuwait, providing an ideal platform for emerging talent in the sport of padel.