Tuesday 04 / August / 2026
Muscat: Oman is stepping up efforts to transform padel into one of the country’s leading sports, with plans to expand the player base, strengthen national teams and bring major international tournaments to the Sultanate as participation surges past 10,000 players.
The Oman Padel Committee (OPC) has announced a comprehensive development strategy aimed at widening the sport’s reach across all governorates, nurturing young talent, increasing accredited competitions and enhancing training programmes for coaches and referees.
The initiative comes amid a remarkable rise in padel’s popularity, one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.
More than 100 courts have now been built across Oman, while participation has crossed 10,000 male and female players, underlining the sport’s rapid emergence in the country’s sporting landscape.
Al Numan Sultan Al Nu’amani, OPC Chairman, said the committee is focused on building a sustainable pathway for the sport, from grassroots participation to elite international competition.
“The committee organises official tournaments and competitions, develops technical regulations, prepares players, coaches and referees, and strengthens partnerships with local and international organisations,” he told Oman News Agency (ONA).
He said the long-term vision is to develop an Omani generation capable of competing on the global stage while promoting professionalism and positioning Oman as a recognised destination for international padel.
Al Nu’amani said the committee’s plans are rooted in the principle of “sport for all”, ensuring opportunities are available to people of all ages and backgrounds across the Sultanate.
Among the committee’s key achievements are establishing a structured domestic tournament system, a steady increase in registered players and participation by Omani athletes in regional and international competitions. Partnerships with the private sector have also played a growing role in supporting the sport’s development.
Talent identification remains a major priority, promising players are monitored through local tournaments, academies and sports centres before being selected for national teams based on technical, physical and behavioural assessments.
The committee is also working to expand court infrastructure, particularly in governorates outside Muscat, while encouraging greater participation among juniors and women. Attracting sponsorships and increasing public awareness of competitive pathways are also central to the strategy.
Its annual calendar includes the Oman Padel Ranking Championship and several accredited tournaments across different age groups, while studies are underway to host larger regional and international events in the future.
Looking ahead, Al Nu’amani said sustainability plans focus on diversifying funding sources, deepening collaboration with the private sector and embracing innovation to ensure long-term growth. The committee is also engaging coaches, clubs, referees, academies, sports science experts, physiotherapists and technology providers, including artificial intelligence specialists, to strengthen the sport’s ecosystem.
Women’s participation is also gaining momentum. National team player Aisha Ali Al Sulaimani said interest among young women has grown significantly in recent years.
“More girls are eager to play and compete in tournaments,” she said, adding that the expansion of modern clubs and dedicated padel facilities has created a safe and supportive environment for female athletes.
She said the rising number of women players is expected to boost competition standards and accelerate the growth of women’s padel in Oman.
