Padel needs to reach a larger demographic and become more accessible to everybody in South Africa, and stakeholders joining the South African Padel Association is a major step in the right direction.
That is the opinion of Paulo do Carmo, the head of Tactical Padel SA, a European padel equipment brand.
Do Carmo shared his thoughts ahead of Padel4Good men’s event, which will take place today at the Virgin Active Padel Centre in Paarden Eiland.
It will be Do Carmo’s second appearance at a Padel4Good fixture, while there will also be a number of previous winners returning to action.
While padel has grown exponentially, both locally and internationally, there are a number of factors that are possibly restricting the true heights the popular sport can reach.
When asked what he reckons can be done to grow the sport and extend its reach even further in SA, Do Carmo said: “This is an excellent and potentially the most important question in the South African padel sphere today. Padel is by no means a cheap sport – court time, equipment and even logistics (cost a lot),” said Do Carmo.
“Despite the incredible growth rate and the fact that, in my opinion, we are still only possibly two-thirds of the way to where we will be in a year’s time, the fact is that padel needs to reach a larger demographic.
“It is a government target, a regulator requirement and certainly a societal priority. In all likelihood, padel will be an Olympic sport in 2032, and the players representing South Africa are going to come from areas that traditionally are less advantaged.
“The challenge is how do we get courts to them, or get them to courts, at an affordable price, coach and mentor them, allow usage at a far lower price than what is currently exercised.
“And how do we get equipment into their hands that is affordable and yet maintains a high level of quality? These are the development challenges that padel is going to face imminently.”
Do Carmo also shared how South Africans can guarantee that development.
“Contrary to common belief, rumour-mongering and misguided opinions on the topic, there is a South African Padel Association, and I would encourage everyone who is a stakeholder in padel or even just a player, to join the association. You can visit www.sapadel.co.za for details.”