Seychelles Padel Society celebrates anniversary with tournament |20 December 2023
María Del Carmen Villalba Sánchez (Photo: Contributed)
Seychelles Padel Society will be commemorating its first anniversary with a padel tennis tournament, scheduled to start on Friday December 22 and end on Sunday December 24, 2023.
The highly anticipated tournament is a milestone event which promises to be a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the talents of renowned international padel players. The tournament will commence with its pool phase at Labriz Gastro Lounge padel court Bel Ombre and the finals are scheduled to be played at Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa on Silhouette Island.
To enter the tournament, players are invited to sign up for a four-month padel membership at R3,500. This not only grants entry to the padelversary tournament but also includes membership in the Seychelles Padel Society. Members will enjoy exclusive access to the padel court, complimentary entry to future tournaments, discounts at Labriz Gastrolounge, and a host of other perks.
The grand prize for the padelversary tournament is an enticing five-night holiday to the Maldives, offering an unparalleled dreamy retreat. In addition, participants stand the chance to win an exclusive stay at the soon-to-open Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island, as well as a getaway at Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa, and Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa.
In a synergistic collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Seychelles Padel Society extends its celebration beyond the tournament. On December 21 (tomorrow), the professional players and coach will take part in a coaching session for kids and students at primary level. This community-focused initiative aims to introduce the youth to the fundamentals of padel, fostering not only a love for the sport but also inspiring an active lifestyle and instilling the values of sportsmanship.
Headlining the event are top-ranked players, including the illustrious Beatriz González Fernández, currently ranked fourth in the world padel tour standings. Fresh from her recent victory at the Milano Premier Padel competition, Beatriz is set to bring her exceptional skills to the Seychelles.
Joining her is María Del Carmen Villalba Sánchez, ranked 45th, who will be enriching the event with her formidable prowess on the court. Adding to the excitement is the participation of Jorge de Benito, sports director at the prestigious M3 Padel Academy and WPT coach, alongside Ignacio Búrdalo Rubio, general director of the Alba Galán Padel School in Cáceres. This dynamic line-up ensures an extraordinary showcase of padel expertise.
In an interview with Sports NATION, María Del Carmen Villalba Sánchez said they are very excited and honoured to be in Seychelles as it is a wonderful place to host a tournament.
“Our presence will hopefully motivate the participants to play well, we are not focused on winning as this tournament will be an experience where we share our expertise and knowledge of the sport for more people, especially the youths, to fall in love with,” said Sánchez.
She added that the participants must show their determination and the willingness to learn also as they will be teaching the amateur players.
The renowned padel player concluded by saying that it is not always about winning every time but they must also enjoy the tournament and the extraordinary experience it offers.
Compiled by Neil Sirame
