Sheikh Saeed announces new structure for padel tennis in the UAE

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
 
The UAE Padel Association (UAEPA) has announced details of a new annual tournament structure for strengthening the sport within the country.

Announced by Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, President of UAEPA, the fresh structure will ensure not only a proper direction for padel tennis, but also set up a unified and common goal towards playing windows that is expected to supercharge the game, especially at the grassroots level.

Underscoring its commitment to increase competition, commercial and fan engagement opportunities while raising competitiveness of padel tennis on the road to an expanded seasonal calendar, the new competition structure will see a regular string of tournaments starting off with April’s annual Nad Al Sheba Ramadan Tournament that is scheduled to be held in accordance with COVID-19 precautionary measures and protocols.

Accordingly, the quality of participation has been linked to the skill levels of the players involved. Players belonging to Classes A and B will be entitled to participate in the top-level Gold category, while the beginners from Class C will be motivated to compete and collect rankings points to fit into the new system.

Players can compete in any number of tournaments throughout the season with each of them standing the chance of compiling rankings points as per their performances in each of these events.

“There will be separate classifications for men and women so that the tournaments have a level playing field that will further ensure a uniform growth of our sport through the country,” related an official from the UAEPA.

Winners in the Gold category stand to win 4,000 points per competition, while the runner-up will get 3,000 points. Silver category winners stand the chance of claiming 1,000 points, while the runner-up will pick up 750 points. In the lower Bronze category, winners stand to get 250 points while the runners-up will get 180 points.

Supported by the UAEPA, the new season will get under way with the padel competition during the course of the upcoming 2021 NAS Ramadan Tournament that is scheduled to commence in the middle of April.

As per rules laid down, clubs are now free to bid and organise tournaments with proper sanction from the UAEPA, during the course of the season.

And while each tournament will attract an entry fee as per the category, winners and top place finishers are also guaranteed prize money at each of the competitions.

All further information and queries on the competitions, tournament structure and rankings system are available on the official website at: www.uaepa.ae