PPF aims to accelerate padel's growth in Pakistan

The Pakistan Padel Federation (PPF) is taking major strides to regulate and expand the sport across the country, ensuring it is played under standard rules and regulations.

The PPF is affiliated with international padel governing body (FIP). Another testament to the rising growth of padel in the country is that for the first time a Pakistani player Mohammad Aziz Khan is featuring in an international event.

Currently, Aziz Khan is in Hong Kong to feature in the FIP Bronze Hong Kong which is being played from March 12-16.

“Yes, Mohammad Aziz Khan, who belongs to Peshawar, is featuring in FIP Bronze Hong Kong which kicked-off yesterday," PPF senior vice-president Mudassar Arain told Nukta in a detailed interview

Mudassar revealed that PPF now has 205 players registered. He said that, according to FIP, each player, coach and club should be registered and must be a license holder in order to compete at national and international level.

"Padel is being held on different patterns in different cities. We are now making efforts to regulate the things so that the sport could be played under standard rules and regulations,” Mudassar said.

Padel’s expansion in Pakistan

On the other hand, Mudassar also explained the structure which the PPF is following in expanding the sport in the country.

“Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad and Punjab are affiliated with us while affiliation of Gilgit Baltistan is in process,” he said.

"We have also started affiliation process of departments. Higher Education Commission (HEC), WAPDA, Police and Navy are under process.

Mudassar highlighted that as compared to Army, Navy has taken a lot of interest as six of their technical officials are training with them.

Meanwhile, he also revealed about the increasing number of padel of courts in the urban centers of the country.

“In Karachi there are 36 clubs, Lahore has 32 clubs, 11 clubs are in Islamabad, one club each is in Peshawar, Faisalabad and Multan, two in Hyderabad and Bahawalpur."

Moreover, new courts have been built in Karachi’s Askari, Malir Cantt, Islamabad Bahria Town and there are five courts in Lahore Bahria Town.

“This is a business-oriented sport. The club owners earn huge amount on daily basis as one slot is sold for Rs7,000 per hour. People hardly get slots especially for Saturday and Sunday. Work is being done at the grassroot level as it is a business-oriented sport,” Mudassar said.

Making padel accessible

Meanwhile, padel is considered an expensive sport in a country like Pakistan, but Mudassar said that the federation is working on the ways and means to make the game accessible.

"The three clubs to whom we have given licenses have been told to arrange two hours slots for two days a week so poor kids can also get the chance, with proper facilities," he said.

Mudassar added that some of the clubs have agreed to their demands, but some are yet to come on terms, and they will ask them to consider their request of lending support to the poor kids.

Long term plans

While talking to the scribe, Mudassar revealed that Pakistan has a pool of talented players, but it’s about training on the same line as it’s done in other countries so they can do well internationally.

"We have 40 players who can represent Pakistan internationally. In October this year, Saudi Arabia is hosting the Asian Championship and I think Pakistan can finish at the victory podium if our players get proper training from a foreign coach,” he said

“We have also talked to the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) relating to the affiliation process as our affiliation with the PSB will be helpful for us. And we are also seeking sponsors for long-term,” Mudasaar said.

The PPF’s senior vice-president also touched upon the hurdles the sport is facing besides requesting the relevant bodies to help them to overcome the hindrances.

“There is no qualified coach. Now FIP Level Zero Coaching Course will be held in Pakistan and after that we will get coaches. We have been allotted an FIP International Bronze event but we don’t have a court up to the international standards, despite having 127 courts in the country,” he said.

“We had requested the PSB for courts and it has now put six courts in its tender and in next year courts will be built. KP is also establishing a court,” he said.