Kuwait successfully hosted the Premier Padel Kuwait Major 2026, a prominent international padel tournament held from October 26 to November 1, featuring 240 top-ranked male and female players. The event, held at Arena Mall 360 and the Rafa Nadal Academy, marked a significant milestone as it was elevated to the "Major" category, the highest tier in the sport, reflecting growing international confidence in Kuwait’s capability to organize major sporting events.
Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs Tareq Al-Jalahma commented on the tournament's conclusion, highlighting that Kuwait’s performance in staging the event demonstrated the country’s strong organizational skills and reinforced its position as a competitive destination for international sports. He attributed this success to the political leadership’s sustained support for the sports sector, including investment in infrastructure and efforts to create a conducive environment for hosting global competitions.
Al-Jalahma emphasized the critical role of partnerships between public and private entities in ensuring the event’s success. He specifically praised the organizing committee, chaired by Bader Al-Kharafi, government agencies involved in the event, and the contribution of BNK Holding Group, which served as the main sponsor under the “Kuwait Youth and Sports Season” initiative. He noted that such collaborations help promote sports tourism, bolster the national economy, and enhance Kuwait’s international sporting profile.
From a sporting perspective, the tournament concluded with Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia winning the men's doubles title after a commanding 2-0 victory over Juan Tello and Maximiliano Arce. The top-seeded pair secured both sets 6-1, displaying dominance in the final. On the women's side, Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea claimed the championship by overcoming Ari Sanchez and Andrea Ustero in a three-set match, rebounding from an initial 3-6 set loss to win the next two sets decisively at 6-1 each.
The Premier Padel Kuwait Major 2026 is part of broader efforts to elevate the country’s sporting culture and encourage greater youth participation in various disciplines. Minister Al-Jalahma reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting high-quality sports initiatives, with a view toward fostering local talent and raising the standard of Kuwaiti sports on the regional and global stages. The tournament’s success further signals Kuwait’s ambitions to attract more major events in line with its national development vision.