Padel competitions at Education City

The Dome Padel Club is poised to host padel competitions post-Ramadan, capitalising on the sport’s growing popularity in the country, according to its head coach and sports manager, Edu Franza.
“People who play padel here in Qatar are so interested in the sport, not only to play in a friendly way but also they like to compete so we are planning to organise some kind of ranking,” he told reporters at a recent tour to the padel facilities at Education City.
Franza said they also intend to host major tournaments at The Dome Padel Club and at Education City Golf Club, which saw the construction of several world-class padel courts. Teaming up with Adidas Padel, he noted that these indoor and outdoor sports facilities (including dedicated ladies-only courts) at Education City offer superior turf and exceptional materials, promising unparalleled quality and performance.
Open to Qatar Foundation members and non-members from 7am to 12 midnight, Franza said people can book lessons and play through the Playtomic application. “We are also working on some kind of membership so people can enjoy the bookings and the lessons,” he said, adding that discounts would also be offered. About the sport’s increasing appeal and rapid growth, Franza highlighted its strong social aspect as it draws people into the vibrant padel community.
“It’s not that you need a long time to learn the right technique, people can easily pass the ball to the other side and enjoy (the game). It doesn’t mind your level (of play), your age, and you can enjoy the sport from the very beginning. It is one of the many things that makes padel very attractive,” he pointed out. This kind of accessibility, Franza said, led to a surge in players, underlining the sport’s inclusive nature and its emphasis on enjoyable learning experiences. He noted that the country has just hosted one of the most important tournaments during the year, the Ooredoo Qatar Major Premier Padel 2024, held recently at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.
Franza stressed that Qatar has solidified its status as an international hub for padel, as Qatar Sports Investments now owns the professional circuit, World Padel Tour. With dedicated efforts to foster the sport’s expansion, he said the country is at the forefront of advancing padel worldwide, making it the premier destination for players and enthusiasts.