Padel tennis fever grips Gaborone
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday November 4, 2023 06:00
Compared to tennis, a Padel tennis court is smaller and the net is lower. Padel tennis is played with a solid perforated paddle, as opposed to a strung racquet and a lower pressure tennis ball. The First Capital Bank Sports Village 10 by 20 Padel Club founder, Adrien Jacobs told MmegiSport said the sport was introduced in Botswana four months back. It arrived on the South Africa shores two years ago and, originating in Mexico, it is regarded as the fastest growing sport in the world. “The size of a Padel court is 10 meters by 20 metres, which is the name of the facility (10 by 20). It is a mixture of tennis and squash. The surface is softer than a tennis court, which makes it accessible for all ages. From next year, it will have its dedicated sport channel for Padel. Football clubs globally are buying into it, with some international players having their own Padel clubs, including Liverpool manager (Jürgen Klopp) who says it is his favourite sport,” he said.
Jacobs said in most countries, the idea of Padel tennis courts in shopping centres does not work but it is rather more ideal within tennis clubs. He said in Botswana, the location of the Padel at a shopping complex has been a success due to visibility. He said if once one plays Padel tennis, they are instantly hooked. “It is a doubles game only, the scoring is exactly like tennis and as we speak, the courts here are fully booked until the end of November by individuals and companies. We also have an international coach who comes here once a month to train local coaches,” Jacobs said. He said they are planning to host a tournament for local and international players with prize money set at P200, 000. Jacobs said Padel tennis is an inclusive sport unlike in other countries where it is an exclusive sport because of the costs of playing.
He said getting First Capital Bank sponsorship is meant to make playing Padel tennis affordable. “It is critical to grow the sport within the community by giving those interested a free hour to play. My goal is to give one hour of free play, every single day to make this sport inclusive to everyone in Botswana. If we do not do that, we risk the sport being an exclusive sport,” Jacobs said. To play Padel tennis, it ranges between P200 and P300 an hour and the cost is divided among four people. Jacobs said they have specials every day in order to give many people a chance to play, and players are given free racquets. He said for those playing Padel tennis for the first time, it is free and there is also free coaching and basic scoring system.
Meanwhile, First Capital bank Botswana chief executive officer, Reinette van der Merwe, said Padel tennis is what was needed in Gaborone. She said there will be a free one hour for community members who cannot afford fees to pay. “If you have a First Capital Bank account, we will give you 25% discount to come and play Padel tennis. This is one of the venues we would like to support. There are other sports here, including the five-a-side football and there is a third Padel tennis court to be set up,” she said. Van der Merwe said as a bank, they remain committed to make available places where dreams can come true and children can flourish.