From April 29 to May 4, Tahiti hosted the very first  American Express Pacific Padel Cup , a competition initiated by the European Association of Padel (AECP)  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 the  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 Club Phénix and those of theAECP, 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, theAECP 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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