APF President Welcomes OCA Decision to Include Padel in 2026 Asian Games

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November 12, 2025
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12-November-2025

APF President Welcomes OCA Decision to Include Padel in 2026 Asian Games

KUWAIT  – President of the Asian Padel Federation (APF) and Secretary-General of the Qatar Tennis, Squash, Padel, and Badminton Federation, Tariq Zainal, has praised the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) for officially recognizing the APF and including padel in the 2026 Asian Games.

In a statement on Wednesday, Zainal described the OCA’s decision as a historic milestone for the sport in Asia, marking a new era for its growth and visibility across the continent.

He highlighted that the sport’s inclusion in the 2026 Asian Games will offer athletes an exceptional platform to showcase their talent and compete at the highest levels, reflecting the rapid development and rising popularity of padel in recent years.

Zainal added that this achievement opens a new chapter in the sport’s journey in Asia and reaffirmed the APF’s commitment to working closely with the International Padel Federation (FIP) to expand opportunities for men, women, and junior players alike, while establishing padel as one of the most dynamic and forward-moving sports in the region.

He also noted Qatar’s pioneering role in promoting padel across the Middle East, pointing out that Doha has successfully hosted both Gulf and Asian Padel Championships at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, as well as the annual Premier Padel World Tour.

The International Padel Federation recently announced that the OCA’s adoption of padel as an official sport at the 2026 Asian Games represents a major step toward global recognition, paving the way for its potential inclusion in the 2032 Olympic Games in Australia.