In a region where football dominates the sporting scene, a new sport is about to make its way onto the court with the opening of World of Padel, the first indoor padel facility in the Kurdistan Region. The facility seeks to become not just a place for people to play the sport, but carries a wider vision of bringing people together, fostering healthy lifestyles, and leaving a legacy for others to follow. Behind this groundbreaking project is Adnan Chali, a seasoned Kurdish engineer and business developer who has worked in leading companies around the world but always had big dreams for his homeland.
“My journey with padel began in 2014 during a business trip in Sweden for my employer at the time. A colleague invited me to play for an hour, and I was instantly captivated,” Chali told Kurdistan Chronicle with great enthusiasm, noting that the opportunity not only entertained him, but also sparked the idea of reimagining padel’s potential in the Kurdistan Region.
Padel is a racket sport invented only 50 years ago in Mexico. Also called padel tennis, the sport is typically played in teams of pairs, or doubles, on an enclosed court that is slightly smaller than a tennis court on which doubles is played. The scoring system is the same as tennis, but the rules, strokes, and techniques are different, and it is often considered a combination of tennis and squash, as the balls can be played off the walls. According to the International Padel Federation, there were more than 25 million active players in more than 90 countries as of 2023.
A bold vision
The rapid growth of padel around the world and Chali’s first encounter with the sport inspired him to explore its business potential.
Soon after, he launched his own padel equipment brand, Avivan, which furnished racquets, balls, clothing, and other accessories. It was during this time when he envisioned introducing padel to Kurdistan. Chali saw an opportunity to make the region a hub for padel in the Middle East, both to grow the sport and build a strong community around it.
“In 2019, I conducted a feasibility study to evaluate its potential. The findings were clear: there was significant interest in sports, especially group activities, among young people. This solidified my decision to bring padel to Kurdistan, with the hope of making it not just a sport, but a lifestyle that connects people of all backgrounds,” Chali explained in a tone filled with optimism.
Located in the heart of Erbil Avenue, a neighborhood surrounded by a vibrant selection of renowned international restaurants, cafes, and exclusive businesses, the World of Padel tries to serve as more than just a sports destination, but a place where people can enjoy a complete day of activity outside of the home.
On the inside, the facility is designed with diverse needs in mind, offering spacious modern changing rooms, secure locker storage, and dedicated warm-up areas to ensure players have everything they need for a great experience. In addition, Vibora Cafe at the center of the facility provides a cozy space to refuel before or after games, and the Vibora Shop sells premium padel equipment and accessories.
Chali went on to reveal that they have partnered with one of the world’s leading padel academies to deliver advanced training programs.
“Whether you’re playing for fun or pursuing competitive goals, our academy ensures that every player can reach their full potential. Additionally, we’ve developed a user-friendly app to make booking, accessing facilities, and staying up-to-date on news and events seamless for all visitors,” he said.
Asked what sets World of Padel different from other sport and entertainment centers in Erbil, Chali stressed that his project is dedicated to making the sport a significant part of the local community and culture.
“Our vision goes beyond just teaching the sport – we aim to foster a sense of belonging and connection. Through competitions, youth programs, and partnerships, we hope to inspire more interest in padel and establish it as a cornerstone of the local sporting culture. Padel is not just a sport – it’s a way to bring people together, promote a healthy lifestyle, and build lasting community bonds,” he insisted.
Becoming a padel hub in the Middle East
As padel is rapidly growing throughout the Middle East, especially in Gulf countries such as the UAE and Qatar, the project in the Kurdistan Region, which is set for a grand opening in March this year, hopes to soon gain momentum and attract padel lovers from around the region.
To further accelerate the popularity of the sport, Chali is planning to introduce padel into school programs. That, as he explained, paves the way for future plans, including inter-school tournaments, corporate matches, and national-level events.
After all, World of Padel is not merely a business for Adnan Chali to make a fortune. He has lived abroad since 1997, yet his bond with Kurdistan remained intact throughout the decades of living in diaspora. Witnessing the rapid development in the Kurdistan Region in recent years, he is dedicated to contributing to a more prosperous future for his people.
“I believe in the region’s potential and want to play a part in its growth through innovative projects like World of Padel,” he underlined.
Sardar Sattar is a translator and journalist based in the Kurdistan Region. He has translated several books and political literature into Kurdish and English. He writes regularly for local and international newspapers and journals.
