From April 29 to May 4, Tahiti hosted the very first American Express Pacific Padel Cup, a competition initiated by theEuropean Association of Padel (EFCA) in partnership with the Club Phoenix.

Before entering the final phase, two selection stages were organized between April 16 and 27:

  • A prequalification reserved for 32 best pairs from the Phoenix club,
  • Then one qualification phase bringing together 32 pairs from clubs Pirae, Excelsior et Dragon.

This major first in Tahiti allowed the organizers to assess the exceptional potential and local talent pool, while preparing technical teams for managing the tables men and women of the main competition.

La perfect understanding between the leaders of the Phénix Club and those of the AECP, represented by Luis Centeno Fragoso et Ricardo Duarte, was highlighted throughout the event.
The qualifying phases concluded with a friendly reception, organized jointly with the support of OFINA American Express.

A successful first for American Express Pacific Padel Cup in Tahiti

On this occasion, the AECP had provided the International Cup model for the presentation of the teams, while the Club Phénix had taken care of all the technical part as well as the animation with Polynesian dances and songs.
American Express also facilitated the arrival of foreign players and club delegations.

The presidents Alain Siu (Club Phénix) and Claude Baigts (AECP) confirmed that a second edition is already under consideration, while emphasizing the importance of partners and mobilization of clubs to ensure the sustainability of the event.

They also recalled the absolute necessity to create a Federation of Padel from French Polynesia, in order to sustainably structure the discipline and avoid possible conflicts with the Polynesian Tennis Federation, some of whose clubs are concerned about the rapid development of padel.

The public, particularly numerous for these qualifying phases, impressed the foreign players and managers, some saying:

"Here, even for the P2000s, there isn't that much public!"

Everything suggests that, when the men's and women's final table, the gauge of 400 spectators per day will be largely exceeded.

Beyond the sporting aspect, this American Express Pacific Padel Cup also allowed to promote meetings between investors, local elected officials and economic players, all enthusiastic about the idea of ​​participating in the construction of new padel clubs in Tahiti.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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