Agra banners padel team to World Championships qualifiers in Kuwait

MANILA – The Philippine Padel Association (PPA) will send 12 athletes to the FIP World Padel Championships Qualifiers of Asia and Africa on September 22-27 in Kuwait.

This marks a historic milestone as the Philippines will be represented as a team for the first time in an event organized by the International Padel Federation (FIP).

Team captain Jessica Marie Agra, the No. 1 player in the Asia Pacific Padel Tour, will banner the team composed of Anna Christine Patrimonio, Jessica Lucas, Alessa Marie Belbes, Rovy Conle Castillo, Michelle Rose Dickson, Fil-Norwegian Ryan Cater (skipper), John Michael Tamayo (playing coach), Jaybee Buenaventura, Alexander Borela Jr., Arnel Burden and Fil-British Timothy Peter Berry.

Lucas, Castillo, Belbes, Buenaventura, Borela and Burden are based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, while Dickson lives in Florida, USA.

Martin Noschese from Argentina and Tamayo, the first internationally certified Filipino padel coach, are supervising the team's training at the Manila Padel Club, with support from MartinX Academy.

The delegation will leave on Sept. 19.

"The medal prospects of our team are promising. With a talented roster of players, we are bringing a unique blend of local expertise, determination, and international experience to the tournament. Our team's dedication to rigorous training, strategic preparation, and passion for representing the Philippines on the global stage positions us as strong contenders," PPA president Alenna Dawn Magpantay said in an interview on Thursday.

"While the competition is tough, our athletes are ready to give their best, and we are optimistic about bringing home pride for the Philippines."

The FIP World Padel Championships will take place in Doha, Qatar, from October 28 to November 2.

Meanwhile, the country will host a first-ever FIP tournament in Manila from November 11-17, 2024.

Top players from across the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Europe are expected to join the landmark event that offers ranking points.

"The Manila tournament represents a significant step forward for padel in the Philippines, and we are eager to showcase the growth and potential of the sport on an international stage," Magpantay said.

Padel is a racket sport of Mexican origin. It is a mix between tennis and squash and is usually played in doubles on an enclosed court surrounded by walls of glass and metallic mash. (PNA)