The second round of the Mashreq Padel Tour took place over the weekend, marking both the start of the 10th edition of the Nad Al Sheba (NAS) Sports Tournament and a new participation record with more than 500 competitors taking part.
The event – the UAE’s first dedicated community padel series for amateurs – is taking place during the Holy Month of Ramadan, with matches taking place across Dubai and organised by the UAE Padel Association (UAEPA), the sport’s governing body in the country.
The second round of the eight-leg inaugural Tour is being held at Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, where five tournaments will be contested between March 23 to April 4. The NAS Tournament padel competitions include UAEPA 100 (Open), UAEPA 10 (Men), UAEPA 10 (Women), Under-16 (Boys) and the UAEPA E&E, which features men’s pairs formed of an Emirati and an expatriate.
The UAEPA 10 Men’s event has up to 75 teams registered, while the UAEPA 100 (Open) will feature 48 teams. Meanwhile, 32 pairs are playing in the E&E category, 24 in the U16s, and 12 in the UAEPA 10 Women’s division. There is a prize pool of Dh85,000 available, adding an additional incentive to attract the finest athletes in the region.
This year, the organising committee for the NAS Sports Tournament also introduced the inaugural edition of the Nad Al Sheba International Padel Competition, with the participation of eight teams alongside the Mashreq Padel Tour 2023.
Ahmed Abdelaal, Group CEO, Mashreq, stated: “We are immensely proud to witness the record-breaking participation in the second round of the Mashreq Padel Tour 2023. This remarkable achievement underlines the increasing popularity of Padel in the region. At Mashreq, we are dedicated to cultivating a sense of sportsmanship, inclusivity, and unity within our community. Collaborating with UAEPA to host the Mashreq Padel Tour reflects this commitment, as we actively contribute to the expansion and development of the sport in the region, ultimately making a lasting positive impact.”
“We are thrilled to have UAEPA host the Mashreq Padel Tour during the NAS Sports Tournament,” said Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, UAEPA President. “Padel has grown rapidly across the UAE and this nationwide Tour will undoubtedly enrich our padel community and enhance players’ competitive experiences. Our focus is not only on promoting the sport, but also improving tournament standards, and we are confident that the ongoing partnership will further the development and growth of padel across the region.”
Across an 11-month season, the Mashreq Padel Tour will feature 20 tournaments in various categories played across four emirates. Having kicked off at the World Padel Academy in Dubai in February, a further five padel clubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ajman will host the remaining five rounds.
The competition is designed to encourage greater participation across all nationalities, age groups, genders, and abilities in the world’s fastest-growing sport across. The Tour’s debut season will include a prize pool of Dh350,000. To find out more about the Mashreq Padel Tour 2023 or to enter its tournaments, visit: www.uaepa.ae
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