Top stars make winning start in FIP Rise Championship at NAS Tournament

The International Federation of Padel (FIP) Rise Dubai Championship kicked off at the 11th Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament, with many international favourites smoothly advancing to the next round of competition.

At the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex hall, the FIP Rise championship commenced with 46 teams of men and women in the fray. The final will take place on Sunday.

Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Padel Federation graced the occasion as Xavier Masson and Jorge Hernan Tupayachi Llanos set the tone for the competition with a triumphant start on the opening night.

On the opening night, nine matches unfolded with thrilling performances. Masson and Llanos showcased an impressive synergy, defeating Alejandro Chaveli Canovas and Alvaro Clemente Jimenez 6-2, 6-4, securing their passage to the next round.

Arthur Hugouneno and Pierre Vincent dominated their match, triumphing 6-0, 6-1 against Saif Al Hammadi and Qasim Al Sherafi. Similarly, Romain Sichez and Philippe Francois Martelli exhibited stellar form, breezing past Khaled Megdiche and Khalil Ben Lallahom 6-2, 6-2.

Rodrigo Aza Casaseca and Mikel Blanco Dorao swiftly dispatched Mahmood Al Attar and Ahmad Al Muhairi 6-0, 6-1, while Arsham Moradi Nejad Marian and Sohrab Darafshi Ghahroudi fought hard for their 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory against Ramtin Fatoorechi and Aria Jafar.

Sebastiao Mendonca and Plinio Ferrao staged a comeback, clinching a 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 win over Philip Orloff and Ivan Lopez Munoz. Meanwhile, Martin Martinez Perez and Hugo Caparros Basterra endured a tough battle, eventually prevailing 6-1, 6-7, 6-4 against Agustin Molinero Fernandez and Alexis Jesuan Gonzalez Dalbene to advance.

Javier Navarro Rodriguez and Julian Lacamoire showcased their prowess, defeating Bohdan Levchuk and Danyil Yevdokimov 6-2, 6-3. Additionally, Ignacio Gonzalez Gadea and Javier Puerto Elvira secured a convincing victory of 6-2, 6-1 against Oliver Szakacs and Andre Biro.

Launched and supported by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, the 11th NAS Ramadan Sports Tournament will conclude with the volleyball final on March 31.

Organized under the guidance of Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, the most expansive sports tournament held during the holy month of Ramadan at the NAS Sports Complex is being held under the theme “Limitless Capabilities.”

Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the volleyball competition set to kick off at the main hall of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex on (Friday). Eight teams are gearing up for the tournament, divided into Group A and Group B.

Group A consists of Zabeel (1), The Emperor, Fohood Zabeel, and Alameed, while Group B comprises Al Jawareh, Zabeel (2), HMS, and The King.

The opening matches on Friday will feature Zabeel (1) against Fohood Zabeel, and The Emperor against Alameed. On the following day, Group B matches will take place, with HMS facing off against Al Jawareh, and Zabeel (2) competing against The King.

The fate of over 400 participants will be decided at the conclusion of the Obstacle Challenge Race, with the announcement of the event’s winners scheduled for Thursday. A total prize fund of Dhs290,000 awaits the top performers in both the male and female categories, with each champion set to receive Dhs100,000.

The race involves navigating eleven obstacles spread across a 400-meter course in the shortest possible time, with a maximum time limit of four minutes.

The qualifying matches for wheelchair basketball will continue at the Dubai Club for People of Determination. Mai Dubai will face Dubai Courts at 9:30 pm, followed by Dubai Municipality versus Roads and Transport Authority at 10:10 pm.

The Community Development Authority team will then take on Al Bustan Center and Residence at 10:50 pm, with the final match of the evening featuring Dubai Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship against Dubai Electricity and Water Authority at 11:30 pm.