BY ALAN THATCHER
The Italy Major Premier Padel final in Rome provided a fantastic promotional vehicle for the sport.
The Foro Italico was packed with 7,000 enthusiastic fans as the all-Spanish team of Juan Lebrón Chincoa and Alejandro Galán beat Spain’s Paquito Navarro and Argentina’s Martin Di Nenno 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.
Crucially for padel’s continuing development, TV coverage was broadcast in 167 territories.
Among the many guests were leading officials from the European Olympic Committee (EOC) who were delighted with the success of the event ahead of padel’s first appearance in the European Games in Poland next year.
The EOC website reported comments from EOC President Spyros Capralos, who said: “It is clear to see why padel is developing so quickly around the world, both in terms of participation and fan base.
“It has everything a sport should be, it is fast-paced, entertaining, and engaging for fans. It is important to the EOC that we welcome fast-growing and youth-focused sports like padel at the European Games and I am really looking forward to seeing what it brings to Poland.”
The EOC website also carried comments from a delighted International Padel Federation (IPF) President Luigi Carraro, who added: “We could not have asked for a better showcase of padel than today’s final.
“Throughout the week the standard has been exceptionally high and the crowds have been in fine voice. But today both of these things reached an even greater level and it is a match that will be remembered for a long time.
“It was an honour to host our first major event in Rome, a city where padel is reaching new people every day.”
The Italy Major Premier Padel event was an IPF Category 1 competition and it is scheduled to return to Rome next year a few weeks before it features at the European Games in Poland between June 21 and July 2.
Pictures courtesy of EOC and Premier Padel via Twitter
Broadcast breakthrough for padel
