World’s largest padbol sports complex launched in Dubai

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

EmiratesPadPro (EPP), the world’s largest padbol sports complex, has opened its doors in Dubai’s Al Quoz area last week.

EmiratesPadPro is a 10,000-square-foot sports complex featuring seven padbol courts.

Brainchild of three UAE residents and avid sports fans Samir and Kabir Khorram and Hussein Kapasi, EmiratesPadPro (EPP), owns exclusive rights and is the sole operator of Padbol in the country.

The sports complex was inaugurated in the presence of Ghazi Al Madani, Head of Private Establishment and Licensing Section, Sports Development Department.

Created in 2008 in Argentina, padbol is now played in more than 30 countries. It is a fusion sport that combines elements of football, tennis, volleyball and squash.

Padbol is played in pairs with four players, with the scoring system the same as tennis. A ball – that is smaller and lighter than a football – is served diagonally and the receiving team must return the ball with a minimum of two or maximum of three touches.

Padbol’s infrastructure is defined in three phases — court, ball, and flooring.

The court area is 6x10 meters, both indoor and outdoor. The floor is a unique, high-tech surface designed to protect the athletes from joint injuries.

The ball used in Padbol is slightly smaller and lighter than a football.

EmiratesPadPro are also very passionate about supporting and encouraging more female sports professionals and plan to host women’s only events, tournaments and also look into working with Dubai Federation Authorities in building UAE’s first female Padbol team.

Madani said, “It was a pleasure to be a part of the launch of the world’s largest Padbol sports complex in Dubai. EmiratesPadPro is creating a community in a setting that caters to all age groups and I feel honored to witness a new sporting movement in the region pioneering in Dubai. Going beyond just playing a sport, I am excited to see young individuals being able to nurture their talent through the tournaments and individual opportunities being offered to become the next UAE Padbol player.”

Hussein said: “We are delighted and extremely thrilled after introducing  the world's largest Padbol academy in Dubai.

"The response and feedback is overwhelming and we have plans to open EmiratesPadPro on other Emirates soon. Our focus is to build UAE’s first National Padbol team and plan to host the next Padbol World Cup in 2024 in UAE.