Ahmed Al-Ghamdi: The development of the padel tournament system in Al-Qadisiyah's Ramadan season
Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, the general supervisor of the padel tournament held as part of the "Al-Qadisiyah Ramadan Season" events, confirmed that this year's tournament has witnessed remarkable qualitative development on all levels, both technical and organizational. The competitions are taking place at the club's courts in Al-Khobar from the 8th to the 12th of Ramadan, amidst a distinctive Ramadan atmosphere, starting daily from 9:00 PM until 1:00 AM.
Changing the tournament system: A step towards professionalism
Speaking about the technical aspects, Al-Ghamdi explained that the organizing committee made a strategic decision this season to change the format for the professional category. Instead of the "knockout" system used last season, a "group stage" system was adopted. Al-Ghamdi pointed out that this change had a direct impact on increasing enthusiasm and interaction among the players, giving them more opportunities to recover and showcase their technical skills, which ultimately benefits the development of the sport locally.
The high numbers and widespread participation reflect the game's popularity
The tournament is witnessing wide participation, reflecting the rapid growth of padel sports in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the Eastern Province. Ninety-eight players, both male and female, are competing across several categories
- Professional category: It includes 8 teams with 16 elite players.
- Amateur category: It is witnessing the greatest momentum with the participation of 32 teams with 46 players.
- Women's category: 9 teams with 18 players each.
Al-Ghamdi pointed out that the amateur category was not just a stop for passing participation, but witnessed a qualitative shift represented in qualifying a number of distinguished players who participated as amateurs last season to play in the ranks of professionals this season, which confirms the success of the tournament in discovering and refining talents.
Social dimension: inclusiveness and integration
In terms of social responsibility, Al-Qadisiyah Club continues to solidify its leading role by integrating diverse segments of society. This season was distinguished by the introduction of a professional, interactive experience utilizing sign language within media materials and accompanying events. This initiative aims to empower the deaf and hard-of-hearing community to fully engage with the event, reinforcing the club's values of inclusion and solidarity.
growing sporting context
This tournament comes at a time when Saudi sports, and padel sports in particular, are experiencing significant growth, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which encourages sports participation and aims to expand the base of practitioners. The remarkable public turnout at Al-Qadisiyah's stadiums is a testament to the club's prominent position as a leading sporting and social hub in the Eastern Province during the holy month of Ramadan.
