VIDEO: Sheikh Saeed welcomes teams; Emperor enter NAS Volleyball Championship semis

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Giving another boost to the game, the inaugural edition of the NAS International Padel Championship kicked off at the Nad Al Sheba complex.

Held under the theme ‘Limitless Abilities’ and organized by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), the NAS Sports Tournament is the biggest event of its kind in terms of participation and prize money, and has been held every year in the Holy Month of Ramadan since 2013 at the iconic Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex.

Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Padel Association and Honorary President of the Arab Padel Federation, welcomed the participating team competing in the first edition of the Nad Al Sheba International Padel Championship.

Eight teams, including hosts UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Iran, Japan, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, are in the fray.

Sheikh Saeed met the players and staff of the participating teams and welcomed them to the UAE. He also wished them success for the championship taking place at the NAS Sports Tournament for the first time.

"Padel has seen a significant growth increase in the UAE in general and Dubai in particular as the Emirate has become a major venue for Arab and international teams competing here in prestigious global events, the most recent of which was hosting the World Padel Championship, held last year and ending on a successful note. Thanks to the unwavering support of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, who has given all the essential resources for development, which paved the way for all the success.

"Foremost among them was the construction of padel courts, in addition to Sheikh Hamdam's follow-ups on the work of the UAE Padel Association, harnessing all means of success for its plans and programmes.

The president of the UAE Padel Association also hailed the support of the International Padel Federation (FIP). Sheikh Saeed praised the role of fans in inspiring the players and the exemplary encouragement that increased the level of enthusiasm in all competitions taking place at the 10th Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament.

Sheikh Saeed also crowned the winners of the different categories of the Padel Championship.

Nicola Sciascia and Biel Ballester won the UAEPA 10 title after beating Anshul Choubal and Ishaan Choubal 6-4, 6-2.

Saif Alhammadi Talal and Qassim Alsharafi emerged winners in the U-16 category competition. They defeated Ahmed Al Hashemi and Issa Ahli 6-0, 6-3 in the final.

Aisha Alawadhi and Andrea Soto claimed the women’s title in the UAEPA 10 category. They beat Guadeloupe de San Felix and Gabriela Duch 6-3, 6-3.

Defending champions Emperor maintained their perfect start at the NAS Volleyball Championship.

Registering a second straight win, Emperor defeated HMS 3-1 to reach the semi-finals of the competition.

Emperor won the first set 25-17 but faced a tough time against their rivals in the second. HMS tried to make a comeback and took the hard fought second set 26-24. Emperor, comprising German, Australian, Dutch, and Iranian stars, dominated the next two sets to wrap up the match.

One of the strong contenders for the title, Fahood Zabeel drubbed Al Shababi 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-16) to confirm their ticket for semi-finals.

Elsewhere, Dubai Police GHQ and the Roads and Transport Authority reached the semi-finals of the wheelchair basketball tournament being held at the Dubai Club for People of Determination.

Dubai Police GHQ topped Group A with six points after defeating the Al Bustan Center and Residence team 40-11, while the Roads and Transport Authority team beat Dubai Municipality 34-21, raising their tally to six.

The Dubai Ambulance team thrashed the Community Development team 30-8, and took second place in Group B. DEWA beat Dubai Courts 24-22.

Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, Director-General of Dubai’s Community Development Authority; Thani Juma Berregad, Chairman of the Dubai Club for People of Determination; Nabil Ashour, President of the UAE Handball Federation; Mohammed Abdul Karim Julfar, Vice President of the Club; and Majid Al-Osaimi, General Manager of the Dubai Club for People of Determination, witnessed the matches.