Kampala- Uganda’s first-ever padel tennis center has opened in Kampala. The Herman Padel Center in Nsambya features four courts and aims to bring the exciting sport to the local community.
According to Henrik Andersen, CEO of the Herman Padel Center, the vision is to create an inclusive environment where people from all walks of life can come together, socialize, and exercise. “We hope to build a happy family of players who can compete, laugh, and enjoy the game,” he said.
The center has already established a collaboration with the Danish Padel Association, ensuring access to expertise and best practices in training and tournaments. While government officials have expressed support, the center will operate privately due to funding constraints.
Seyfarth Erik, the Sports Director, explained that padel tennis combines elements of squash and tennis, making it an accessible and engaging sport. He highlighted the rapid growth of padel globally, with over 1500 courts in Denmark alone.
Ugandan tennis player and padel enthusiast Simon Ayela praised the initiative, saying it will boost local tennis players’ careers and provide new opportunities. “Padel Tennis is a sport that got to raise through racket sport, and currently, most professional players are switching to play Padel,” he said. Ayela encouraged all racket sport players to try padel, citing its ease, fun, and potential for high prize money.
The Herman Padel Center offers flexible membership options, including hourly payments and monthly subscriptions.
History of Padel
Padel tennis was founded in Mexico in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera. The sport has gained immense popularity in Spain and Argentina. Over the past decade, padel has seen rapid growth globally, with courts springing up in Europe, Africa, and beyond. Uganda joins the growing list of African countries embracing padel tennis, alongside South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania.