Padel, the racket sport typically played in doubles on an enclosed court slightly smaller than a doubles tennis court, is finally available to local enthusiasts, following the opening of the very first padel court on Mahé last Saturday.

The new facility based at the Hilton Labriz Gastrolounge at Bel Ombre is an initiative of the Seychelles Padel Society, a local body with the desire to introduce the rising discipline in Seychelles and engage the local community around the values of sport.

The new court is the second to be inaugurated in the country, following the opening of the very first Padel court on Silhouette Island in February 2022 at the Hilton Seychelles Labriz.

The facility was officially inaugurated by vice-president of operations for Africa and Indian Ocean at Hilton Jan Van Der Putten and Designated Minister Jean-François Ferrari, in the presence of Minister for Education Justin Valentin, general manager at Hilton Hotels and Resorts Andre Borg, and director general for destination planning and development at the tourism department Paul Lebon, among other guests, including four professional padel players, namely Amanda Girdo, Victor Stjern, Simon Vasquez and Mari Carmen Villalba.

The new padel court in Bel Ombre is the opportunity to create a space to have fun, promote sports and encourage new encounters in Mahé, while building a safe and meaningful environment for the youth, and the main drive behind the initiative is to have people engage in this new emerging sport that is becoming popular around the world, and Hilton being the first establishment to offer such opportunity is pleased to also have the community involved through its membership programme.

The programme include adult membership (R4,000), with court access twice weekly for eight months, with 25 percent off on food and beverage at the Gastrolounge, 20 percent off on Hilton Labriz day visits, preferential rates at Hilton Labriz, free entry to padel tournaments, as well as complementary water and locker access.

Then there is the kids’ membership (R3,000), with court access twice weekly for eight months, one hour of free coaching, free entry to padel tournaments, complementary water and locker access, as well as free day visit if parent is a member.

As for the family membership – two adults and two kids – it is at R12,500, while the buddy membership – two adult members – costs R7,500.

The corporate membership – 10 adult members – is at R37,500.

All memberships are for a duration of four months and are strictly non-transferable. Access to the court is non-cumulative, based upon availability, and requires advance booking.

The accompanying photos show the launch ceremony and some players in action.

Source: Seychelles Nation