Saly (Senegal), from October 26 to November 1, 2025 - The 9th edition of the International Club Cup Padel (CICP) was held for the first time on the African continent. The club The Palm grove, in Saly, welcomed nearly 90 players representing 13 national teams, gathered for a week around an amateur competition with international aspirations.

This expansion into Africa marks a new stage in the development of the CICP. Following an event held earlier this year in French Polynesia, the European Association of Clubs of Padel (AECP) has chosen Senegal, a decision made as early as autumn 2024.

Asked by Padel Magazine, ClaudeA representative of the AECP explains this direction:
“We wanted to continue the international expansion of the CICP. After Tahiti, Saly was a natural choice, especially thanks to our ties with Geoffrey Demeerlaere, who has been involved for several editions.”

Since its inception, the CICP has been based on a simple principle: to offer amateur players an organizational framework as close as possible to the highest level. This approach is championed by the AECP, which each year assembles a structured team and partners identified within the world of padel.
"Our objective remains the same: to offer a serious, well-structured competition with high standards, while maintaining the amateur spirit," Claude reminds us.

This first African edition also provided an opportunity to assess the development of padel locally. The level of play of the Senegalese players attracted attention, as did the commitment of the delegations from Mauritania, whose collective presentation and spirit were regularly praised throughout the week.

On the European side, several clubs were present, with delegations coming from France, Corsica, Portugal, and Spain. The diversity of profiles, cultures, and approaches to the game contributed to the overall sporting balance of the competition, while also reinforcing the human dimension of the event.

From an organizational standpoint, the AECP highlights a busy week, punctuated by more than 140 matches played without any major incidentsCentralized logistics between the airport, accommodations and the club, as well as continuous medical and refereeing support. All these elements contribute to the credibility of the format.

At the end of this 9th edition, a perspective is already emerging: Malaga in 2026to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the CICP. Without ruling out a return to Africa in the medium term.
"We will return if the conditions are right and if the desire is shared," Claude concluded.

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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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