Padel continues to attract fans well beyond the sporting sphere. On Friday, August 22, Doctors Without Borders Belgium organizes a charity tournament at Tour&Taxis Padel Club in Brussels. A first foray by the humanitarian NGO into the world of padel, with the aim of combining sporting activity and solidarity.

A user-friendly and accessible format

The tournament will be played under the so-calledRainforest : short matches, with a change of partner at each encounter, allowing each participant to accumulate points individually. A format that encourages exchange and conviviality, open to both regular players and beginners.

The organizers specify that equipment will be made available to those discovering padel. Each player will also receive a welcome pack in the MSF colors, as well as a meal and drinks included in the registration fee set at 60 Euros.

A solidarity event

Beyond the sporting aspect, the initiative's primary goal is to support MSF's humanitarian work. Each registered player commits to mobilizing their friends and family by creating a fundraising page and bringing together at least five donors. The funds raised will finance the NGO's interventions in areas where access to healthcare is most fragile: in Gaza, Myanmar, Sudan, and among asylum seekers in Belgium.

A prize will also be awarded to the person who collects the most donations.

The program

The day will open from 17h30 with the reception of participants. The tournament will start at 18h30, before giving way to a final planned around 21h15The awards ceremony and a friendly moment over a drink will close the evening.

A new way to support MSF

For MSF, this is about exploring a new avenue for raising awareness and funding by leveraging a sport that is booming in Belgium. "Playing padel under the MSF colors means becoming an ambassador for those who do not have access to healthcare," the organizers remind us.

Registration remains open, subject to availability. For those who do not wish to participate in the tournament, you can support the players via their fundraising page.

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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