Aspire Academy hosted its second International Padel Federation (FIP) Promises event, drawing over 130 competitors from 29 countries, including Qatar, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, and several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. The tournament, held in 2026, featured 104 teams competing across four age categories: under-12, under-14, under-16, and under-18, marking the largest FIP Promises event in the region this year.

The FIP Promises Tour serves as the official junior circuit of the International Padel Federation, offering young athletes international competitive opportunities. By organizing this event, Aspire Academy reinforced its commitment to nurturing Qatar’s emerging padel talent while underscoring its role in advancing the sport throughout the region.

Ignacio Gorbea, Tournament Director and Senior Padel Coach at Aspire Academy, emphasized the significance of hosting the event at the institution. He noted that the tournament not only showcased the progress of Qatari players but also demonstrated Aspire Academy’s expertise in coaching, event organization, marketing, and logistics. Gorbea highlighted the rapid global growth of padel and expressed pride in the level attained by the academy’s players, citing positive feedback from coaches, players, parents, and international federations.

On the competitive front, Aspire Academy athletes achieved notable success. Hassan Waly extended his winning streak by claiming the under-18 title. Alongside him, Ali Abdulrahman Al-Malik secured the under-16 crown, while Elias Lejmi emerged victorious in the under-14 category after a challenging final.

The event drew a diverse audience including dignitaries such as Argentina’s Ambassador to Qatar, His Excellency Guillermo Luis Nicolas, and senior officials from Aspire Academy including Chief Corporate Services Officer Ali Sultan Fakhroo, Chief of Education and Students Affairs Officer Jassem Al Jaber, and Prof Valter Di Salvo, Director of Football Performance and Science. Senior management members Markus Egger (Director of Sports), Saeed Srour (Director of Human Resources), Muneera Hammam (Acting Director of Marketing and Communications), and Mariano Amat (Head Padel Coach) were also present to award trophies to the winners.

The successful staging of the FIP Promises tournament at Aspire Academy reflects both Qatar’s growing investment in youth sports and the increasing prominence of padel in the region’s sporting landscape.