A file photo of players in action.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 23: The Asian and African qualifiers for the upcoming World Padel Cup for men and women (Doha 2024) kicked off, organized by the Kuwait Padel Club under the supervision of the International Padel Federation. The event features 14 men's and 13 women’s teams and will run for six days.

In the men's matches, the UAE triumphed over the Philippines, Australia defeated Saudi Arabia, Japan bested China, Egypt overcame Lebanon, Iran won against Oman, and Senegal claimed victory against Thailand, with all results being 3-0. In the women's competition, the UAE edged out Lebanon 2-1, Egypt secured a 3-0 victory over Bahrain, Japan triumphed over Saudi Arabia 3-0, and Australia also achieved an easy 3-0 win against Senegal.

Club Director Ali Hayat shared with KUNA that the qualifiers have already showcased intense competition in both categories on the opening day. He anticipates strong matches ahead, noting that only the men’s champion will qualify for the World Cup finals, while the top two finishers in the women’s category will advance.

Hayat explained that the club has closely coordinated with the International Federation and relevant state agencies to finalize all organizational and technical arrangements for the tournament. The men's matches will occur at the Kuwait Regency Hotel courts, while the women's competitions will be hosted at a dedicated padel academy at the Kuwait Club.

He also emphasized that the Kuwaiti men’s and women’s teams have prepared thoroughly for the tournament, aiming to deliver their best performances and achieve commendable results. Hayat hoped that Kuwaiti players would make a strong start in the qualifiers.