By Jean Malanum
MANILA – The Philippine Padel Association (PPA) is sending 12 athletes to the International Padel Federation (FIP) Asia Cup scheduled from Oct. 17 to 24 in Doha, Qatar.
A total of 14 countries, namely Bahrain, China, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates are joining the event, which will be held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.
Spearheading the team is lawyer Jessica Marie Agra, the highest-ranked Asian player in the International Padel Federation (FIP) rankings at No. 149.
” I was excited to reach the top 150 in July because I know it means there is more of a possibility to play the highest level of padel which is the Premier Padel. It would be a dream come true even just to be able to participate. And it’s a bonus for me to remain as the highest-ranked Asian since then,” said the former top junior tennis player in an interview on Wednesday.
“My goal really is to be able to be the best padel player I can be and see how far I can go, so it makes me happy to see progress in my game and in the world rankings. Hopefully, I can keep getting better through all the trainings I have been doing and all the tournaments that I have been playing. I will continue to work hard and take it one day at a time,” added Agra.
“The next big one for me is the FIP Asia Cup, which is a team event. I am really looking forward to officially representing the Philippines again in a team competition,” she further said.
Also going to Qatar are soft tennis standout Bambi Zoleta, Jessica Lucas (based in Dubai), Princess Naquila, Rovy Conle Castillo (based in Dubai/Spain), Anna Singer (based in Spain), Tim Berry, Michael Tamayo, Dheo Talatayod, Jan Amandoron, Francis Parangan, Roland Quizon and coach German Streitenberger.
The men’s squad is scheduled to leave on Oct. 16, while the women’s team will follow on Oct. 18.
“After the Asia Cup, I will be heading to Dubai again to train and to play the FIP Silver. I will also try to register for the Premier Padel in Egypt or Dubai to see if there is a chance I can get in the qualifying rounds but I am not sure yet,” said the youngest daughter of lawyer Alberto Agra, the president of the Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation (POSF) and a key figure in the growth of Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) in the Philippines.
The PPA, which was founded by Alenna Dawn Magpantay, is recognized by the FIP, the world governing body of the sport.
Padel, a racket sport of Mexican origin, is a mix of tennis and squash and is usually played in doubles on an enclosed court surrounded by walls of glass and metallic mesh. (PNA)
