International Padel Sport Coaches have arrived in Kenya with the aim of taking the Game to another level.
Led by Coach Mariano Sanchez from Argentina, they say there is an urgent need for stakeholders in the country to embrace Padel Tennis, a fast growing tennis variant that has been taken up globally.
Mariano, who has been welcomed by the Key Businessman Dhiren Chandaria, says Padel Sport is a growing sport with a growing fan base in Kenya.
There is a great opportunity for investment into the sports as demand for courts outpaces availability in Nairobi.
Padel is a hybrid racket sport that is a mix of tennis, squash and badminton.
Faster than tennis and slower than squash, Padel is ideal for an invigorating yet fun workout.
It is an action-packed sport played in a glass cage on artificial turf. Rallies, lobs, smashes and drop shots are very common in the game.
Speaking during the Padel Tennis exhibition at Padel courts in Gigiri on Wednesday, Key International Businessman Dhiren Chandaria said that Kenya Padel Tennis is destined for greatness saying that he aims to grow the sport within all counties.
“This is the fastest growing sport, it’s an amazing game, but the government needs to have academies so that more and more young talent can be natured “Said Dhiren.
The Chandaria family has brought Coaches from Argentina to train local coaches who will again enhance the game within the country, Kenyans of any age group can play the game.
Kenyan coaches are being trained by international coach Mariano Sanchez from Argentina , Dhiren and Daughter Nikita Chandaria also stated the need of local players and coaches to be trained about this fastest growing sports game in not only Kenya but across Africa.
“Other than having good academies, we need to have our coaches trained so that they can understand the rules of the game well, remember unlike our normal tennis, this game is usually played in a fenced court with transparent glass, although rules are almost similar with long Tennis “Said Dhiren.
During the exhibition, present were international Padel tennis player Mariano Sanchez the director of Mundo Padel Director, Valentin Sanchez – who said this is a First Category League in Argentina. He added that Kenya has got talent and asked stakeholders to come up and support young and upcoming Padel tennis players. `
Sanchez said that training of coaches and building of Padel Sporting activities across the country and the region at large can be the best way to promote Padel Tennis.
“With the game that we have seen today, Kenya can go far, but this can be done if we have good structures right from the grassroots, especially even from low schools to tertiary institutions, Said Sanchez.
During the exhibition, Kenyan Padel tennis lost to Argentina in sets of 4-6, 6-1 and 6-4 in an international match played at the venue.
Present were Sunil Goodmal, Prince Hillary Nyakabau, Mariano Sanchez and Valentin Sanchez.
The next event will be held at Ngong Racecourse on Saturday at 3 PM.
The class for children from Kibera is Sunday at 2pm.
