UAE Tennis and Padel Federations Merge to Form Unified Sporting Body
In a significant development for sports governance in the UAE, Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, has approved the merger of the UAE Tennis Federation and the UAE Padel Federation into a new unified entity, the UAE Tennis and Padel Federation. This strategic move is set to enhance the technical and organisational frameworks of both sports, aiming to boost their development and presence on local, regional, and international stages.
The Minister also sanctioned the formation of the new Board of Directors for the upcoming electoral cycle until 2028. The board will drive initiatives that reflect best practices in sports governance, ensuring that both tennis and padel continue their impressive growth in the Emirates.
Sheikh Hashar bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum has been named Honorary President of the UAE Tennis and Padel Federation. This appointment recognizes his longstanding and significant contributions to the expansion of tennis in the region. Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum will serve as President of the Board of Directors.
At its inaugural meeting, the board elected Ismail Al Hashemi as Vice President and Saeed Al Marri as Secretary-General. Other members include Khalifa Khouri, Mohammed Al Sharhan, Hassan Al Mazrouei, Issa Sharif, Marwan bin Issa, James Ward, Omar Al Marzouqi, and Fatima Bujsaim.
Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum expressed his gratitude to previous boards, stating, “the former boards of the Tennis and Padel Federations [have] laid important foundations for the development of both sports and enhanced their local and international presence.” He also affirmed the new board’s commitment to “build on past achievements and work as one team to achieve further progress and success in tennis and padel, in line with the vision of the UAE leadership and the aspirations of athletes in the country.”
Highlighting the rationale behind the merger, Sheikh Saeed noted that it “aligns with the vision to develop fast-growing sports, improve governance efficiency, unify organisational frameworks, expand the base of participants, support national teams and talent identification and development programs, and enhance the UAE’s capabilities in hosting and organising major tournaments.”
He further mentioned that the newly formed board “brings together experienced and specialised competencies capable of driving a qualitative leap in the federation’s journey, completing stages of institutional and technical development, strengthening strategic partnerships, and reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leading regional hub for tennis and padel.”
This merger reflects the country’s ongoing efforts to consolidate resources, foster talent, and position the UAE as a premier destination for major sports events, setting new benchmarks for the advancement of both tennis and padel.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
