Kuwait received the Best Organization Award for hosting the World Padel Doubles Championship at the 2025 Padel España Awards ceremony in Madrid, the Arab Times reported on January 31. The honour recognised the event staged from November 3 to 9, 2025, after Kuwait prevailed over France, Italy, Mexico and Spain among leading nations on the international padel calendar. Tournament director Mishaal Al-Ansari attributed the success to coordinated national support that delivered a world-class tournament.
In comments reported by the Arab Times, Al-Ansari said the global recognition reflects the strong support from Kuwait’s wise leadership and the coordinated efforts of national institutions, which enabled the championship to be delivered at a world-class level, befitting Kuwait’s reputation and status. He emphasised that the achievement carries great organizational and symbolic value and reinforces Kuwait’s position as a leading host of international sporting events. On behalf of the organising team, Al-Ansari extended thanks to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah for their pivotal guidance.
The FIP World Cup Pairs took place at The Arena Kuwait under the auspices of the International Padel Federation, which governs the sport worldwide and counts Kuwait among its member nations. The 2025 edition introduced a format featuring qualification rounds followed by the main draw, drawing national teams and top players to the Gulf state. Event organisers including BNK Holding Group helped ensure seamless delivery of the week-long competition, according to coverage by Kuwait Times.
Padel has experienced particularly swift expansion in Kuwait, where the number of courts stood at 558 according to a 2024 industry assessment referenced in regional analyses. The sport gained momentum across the GCC after its introduction in the UAE in 2013, with demand accelerating during the COVID-19 pandemic as residents sought accessible, socially distanced physical activity. Kuwaiti players have shown steady improvement, earning bronze medals in recent Gulf-level tournaments, an Arabian Gulf States Institute analysis noted.
The wider GCC region featured more than 1,850 courts across roughly 600 venues as of the 2024 baseline report, while worldwide player numbers exceeded 18 million with courts surpassing 70,000 in over 150 countries, according to data compiled by Padel Business Magazine. Kuwait itself ranks as one of the costliest locations to play, with court hire averaging €62 per hour, courtmetrics.io figures show. The FIP continues to promote the sport’s growth in Asia and beyond, building on strong Middle Eastern foundations.
Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait, which contributed to the FIP World Cup Pairs, received parallel recognition at the World Padel Awards for best tournament, its website stated in February 2026. The dual honours underscore the depth of infrastructure and expertise applied to the event. Al-Ansari’s statements following the Madrid ceremony reiterated the role of institutional coordination in elevating Kuwait’s standing on the international sporting stage.
