Padel takes root in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – Officials are eyeing to bring the sport of padel to other provinces in the next few months.

Padel, a relatively new sport in the Philippines, is like tennis and squash rolled into one.

The scoring is like tennis, but the difference is the ball could hit the walls and fences.

While the sport is relatively young in Asia, padel has started taking off in Spain and other European countries.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, one of the advocates of the sport, said they are eyeing to have more padel courts in the country in the next few months, including in Baler and Palawan.

This is part of their grassroots program as they try to bring the sport to far-flung areas.

Currently, there are two padel courts in Metro Manila — in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and in Mandaluyong.

For his part, Bryan Casao, a padel coach in Action Academy, said they will try to give support to any local government units that may be interested in the sport.

Casao voiced openness to lend their hand in building the courts for any LGUs, as they saw that there are several areas in the country which have tennis courts.

The sport was brought to the country fairly recently.

On Friday, the senator and the coach introduced the sport to the media.

Cayetano and Casao underscored how beginner-friendly padel is, and how anyone could come and play the sport.

“Padel is unique because it's very beginner-friendly. But if you want to be competitive, as I do, you can improve your skills with training and joining tournaments,” Cayetano said.

Casao added that while those who have a background in racket sports may have an advantage, anyone could play the sport.

On Friday, Cayetano, Casao, Olympian EJ Obiena and celebrity Nico Bolzico played padel at the court in Mandaluyong.