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KARACHI: Pakistan staged its first-ever FIP Promises Padel Tour for junior players this week, with the three-day tournament concluding in Karachi on Sunday in what organizers described as a milestone for the sport’s development in the country.
Held from March 27 to 29 at Neo Maidan KMC, the event brought together emerging players from across Pakistan to compete in four age-group categories — Under-12, Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18 Boys — under the auspices of the International Padel Federation, Padel Asia and the Pakistan Padel Federation.
The tournament reflects the growing traction of padel, a fast-rising racket sport globally, and offered young athletes in Pakistan their first exposure to an international-standard competitive platform at home.
In the Under-12 category, Muhammad Azan and Muhammad Arsh secured the title with a straight-sets win over Umer Zaman and Ahmed Jawad, 6-3, 6-3. Rayyan Faizan and Muhammad Bin Haris dominated the Under-14 final, defeating Waqas Khan and Tariq Rafi 6-1, 6-2.
Faizan and Haris also featured in the Under-16 final but fell to Mueez Allawala and Asher Allawala, who clinched the title 6-1, 6-3. The Allawala brothers later finished runners-up in the Under-18 category, where Ismail Aftab and Ibrahim Shiraz won the championship 6-4, 6-4.
Officials said the event was conducted in line with international standards, overseen by certified referees including Syed Rehanuddin as main referee and Qudsia Raja as assistant referee.
Pakistan Padel Federation President Muhammad Mateen attended the closing ceremony alongside Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s Director Sports Aftab Kaimkani, presenting trophies to winners and runners-up.
Organizers said the successful hosting of the tournament underscores Pakistan’s ambitions to build a structured pathway for youth participation and elevate its presence in the international padel circuit.
The federation added that the next edition of the FIP Promises Padel Tour in Pakistan is scheduled for August 2026 in Karachi as part of broader efforts to expand the sport at both grassroots and elite levels.
