KUWAIT: Kuwait concludes the FIP World Cup Pairs padel tournament on Sunday, following a week of exciting competitions from Nov 3 to 9 at The Arena and the Rafa Nadal Academy courts. The tournament concludes amid a vibrant atmosphere, drawing large crowds and extensive media coverage, a testament to Kuwait’s rising status as a premier destination for international sporting events.
In a press statement, Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, Chairman of BNK Holding Group, expressed his deep gratitude to HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah for their continued support and vision to develop Kuwait’s global sports standing.
“What we have witnessed today reflects Kuwait’s modern image and its capacity to host major international events. This achievement opens the door to future championships that align with the country’s vision of global openness and its ambition to become a regional and international sports hub,” he said.
Al-Kharafi extended his appreciation to HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, Minister of Information, Culture and State Minister for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi and Acting Director of the General Sports Authority Bashar Abdullah, commending their coordination and leadership in ensuring the tournament’s success.
Luigi Carraro
He also thanked Chairman of Tamdeen Group Mohammad Jassim Al-Marzouq for his full support
and for providing the facilities of Grand Hyatt Kuwait, The Arena and the Rafa Nadal Academy for the event. Al-Kharafi praised the International Padel Federation (FIP) for its confidence in Kuwait and for granting it the honor of hosting this global championship, adding: “I also want to thank the Kuwaiti public and the expatriate communities whose enthusiastic presence in the stands made all the difference. Their passion and energy created an exceptional atmosphere and truly reflected Kuwait’s sporting spirit.”
He concluded by emphasizing that the world’s confidence in Kuwaiti youth was on full display throughout the tournament. “The professionalism, organization, and turnout we witnessed prove the competence of our young people. This event marks a new starting point for hosting even more international tournaments in the near future.”
Bashar Abdullah expressed his pride in the tournament’s resounding success, calling it “the result of unique institutional collaboration and national unity”. “The level of organization and professionalism seen during this championship reflects the world’s confidence in the capabilities of Kuwaiti youth,” he said.
Luigi Carraro, President of the International Padel Federation, praised Kuwait’s outstanding organization, describing the event as the most exciting and professional on the 2025 FIP calendar. He indicated “Kuwait offered the world a model of excellence in sports organization and management. The sportsmanship and warm Kuwaiti hospitality made this an unforgettable experience for all participants.” Carraro affirmed that the tournament awarded 2,000 ranking points to participants, noting that the Kuwait edition will remain a milestone in the sport’s global history.
The final day features the women’s doubles final at 4:00 pm, followed by the men’s doubles final at 7:00 pm at The Arena, after a week that brought together 240 players — including seven Kuwaitis (four men and three women) — from around the world. The closing ceremony includes laser shows and entertainment activities, adding a festive touch in the presence of numerous sports and media personalities. The organizing committee invited all padel fans in Kuwait to attend the final celebrations and enjoy the event’s electric atmosphere, which has distinguished the tournament from its opening day.
