Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, Saeed Hareb, Luigi Carraro and other members of the Organizing Committee during the draw at Dubai Sports Council headquarters.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The stage is set as the inaugural edition of the DP World Padel Championship 2022 will kick off on Monday at the iconic Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.

The International Padel Federation’s flagship biennial tournament will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, and hosted by the UAE Padel Association (UAEPA) in association with the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET).

The draw ceremony for the champions was held at the headquarters of the Dubai Sports Council on Saturday and was attended by Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Padel Association and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the tournament; Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council; Luigi Carraro, President of the International Padel Federation; members of the organizing committee and a number of coaches and players of the participating teams.

The Dubai World Padel Championship boasts separate men’s and women’s categories, with 17 national teams set to compete in each competition. The championship, taking place in Dubai for the first time, offers a prize purse of Dhs2 million.

The draw offers exciting clashes on the card as Spain, who are on top in the men's team world rankings, are in Group A along with Uruguay, Britain, and Portugal. Argentina, who finished second and is a six-time champion, leads Group B, which includes Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Brazil, ranked third in the world, led Group C. The UAE national team, who are making their debut in the championships, Chile and Ecuador are the other teams in the same group.

The women’s competition draw also promises thrilling duels as Spain, the top-ranked team, led Group A and will face Germany, the US, and Chile during the tournament.

Argentina, ranked second in the world and holder of the women’s title four times, are heading Group A with Belgium, Uruguay, and Japan also drawn in the same group.

Third-ranked Italy tops Group C with Mexico, the Netherlands, and Portugal.

France leads Group D, with Brazil, Paraguay, Sweden, and debutants UAE rounding out the field.

Sheikh Saeed hailed and extended gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his patronage of the tournament and his continuous support for the game, which has led to padel's emerging as one of the most popular sports in the UAE.

Sheikh Saeed stressed that the organizing committee has made every effort to finish all the arrangements and preparations by the deadline so that the championships begin in the best circumstances and in a way that reflects the UAE's position in general and Dubai's in particular as a preferred destination for global sporting events.

He welcomed all participating teams and anticipated thrilling action on the courts with the participation of the top-ranked teams in the world.

The Chairman of the Organizing Committee also thanked the Dubai Sports Council, the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, the Dubai Duty Free, and all institutions and partners for supporting the tournament.

Representatives of the competing teams gave Dubai credit for providing top-class facilities, logistical tools, and other arrangements that make it a top venue.

Pablo Ayma, France’s men’s team coach, was stunned with the level of superb organization and wonderful preparations for the event.

"With all the strong teams in the world participating, I expect the Dubai Championship to be the best in technical and organizational terms. We are happy with the conditions regarding accommodation, training, and others offered by the organizing committee," said Ayma.

Rodri Ovide, coach of the Argentine team, is confident about his team's chances at the tournament.

"We came with high spirits to present our best levels that we used to show in all our participation in the World Championship, and our goal is clear: to win the seventh title. We will give our best shot to try for the women's championship title also," said Ovide.