Sharjah24 - WAM: Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council (DSC), today attended Day 1 of the DP World ‘World Padel Championships- WPC’ at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, and witnessed part of the UAE national team’s match against the Brazilian team.

The biennial Championships are being held in the UAE for the first time, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.

Overseen by the Federación Internacional de Pádel (International Padel Federation), the tournament is being organised by the UAE Padel Association (UAEPA) in association with the DSC and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

The Championships have separate men’s and women’s categories in which 17 national teams are participating this year.

During his visit, H.H. Sheikh Mansoor met with Luigi Carraro, President of the Federación Internacional de Pádel (FIP), and the heads of several delegations, in the presence of Saeed Hareb, Secretary-General of DSC, and members of the Championships Organising Committee, including Khalifa Yousef Khoury, First Vice-President of the UAE Padel Association; Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary-General of DSC; Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment; and Hassan Al Mazrouei, Director of the Championships.

Sheikh Mansoor noted that Dubai’s hosting of the world-class Championships is an opportunity to promote the sport in the UAE and across the region. “More than 200 nationalities live and work in the UAE and practice several sports. Padel is the fastest growing sport in the country and is gaining in popularity across different emirates of the country."

“Organising the Championships also allows the world to see the country’s progress in all areas and padel’s prominence in the region. This has been made possible by the support of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the efforts of the UAE Padel Association, headed by Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum," he added.

Sheikh Mansoor witnessed parts of the match between the UAE and Brazil, as well as portions of Argentina vs Belgium and Spain vs Uruguay matches. The DSC Chairman also watched some action in the matches played by France, Sweden, Italy, and the Netherlands.

He expressed hope that the UAE’s national team will benefit from participating in the championships and gaining experience by competing alongside top teams worldwide.

H.H. Sheikh Mansoor praised the Organising Committee’s efforts and preparations to host the Championships for the first time in the UAE and match the high standards set by the country in hosting major global sporting events.

He also lauded the choice of the championships’ venue, capable of accommodating thousands of fans of different nationalities who can watch their favourite stars in action and cheer for their teams.