BALANGA CITY — Senator Pia Cayetano is promoting a new sport known as padel – a mix of tennis, pelota, and squash – during the opening in Bataan of the first padel court at the Green Leaf Residences here Wednesday.
The senator described padel as very similar to tennis except that the court is smaller and mostly with glass wall so that when the ball entered over the net and bounced on the wall, the player can still get the ball.
Cayetano said that padel is presently the fastest growing sports in the world that started in Mexico and became big in Spain and now famous in Europe and some Asian countries. “Sa Pilipinas, gusto natin makipagsabayan sa kanila.”
She said there are already padel courts in Taguig City, in her club in Mandaluyong City, in Baler, Aurora owned by Senator Sonny Angara and another one in Metro Manila.
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“We have plans to build many public courts in the country and Bataan is one of them,” Cayetano said in Filipino.
The senator said she has actually supported many sports like running, biking being a triathlete herself. “Sa padel super nage-enjoy ako dahil social game ito where you have to play with people. Naghahanap ka ng kalaro. One of the secrets in having healthy productive life is socializing with people through sports. May studies na ganyan.”
“So, I am happy to promote padel, I love it. I always tell people to try it,” she added. She clarified, however, that she loves other sports and ready to help and support them.
Cayetano said their family has strong ties with Bataan, her late father Sen. Rene Cayetano having been administrator of the Bataan Export Processing Zone, now the Bataan Freeport, in Mariveles.
She believed that the Philippines will also have the opportunity to shine in the region and hopefully in the world with padel. “Kasi hindi nangangailangan ng height basta maliksi ka, mabilis ka and then tingnan ninyo yung space na na-occupy niya hindi ganoon kalaki, hindi kasing laki ng football field.”
Bataan’s first take of the Padel in Action Academy. Photo courtesy of Sharmane
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Cayetano said she sent coach Bryan Casao to study in a certified padel academy in Spain to be able to teach in the country. “Napakadali nitong matutunan pero if you want to become a real player then magi-invest ka din ng time.”
“Karamihan ng coaches galing din sa tennis background. Kapag tinitignan ko ang mga foreign coaches sa ibang bansa kasi nakaikot din ako to see kung paano nila na-develop ang padel ang background ng coaches karamihan tennis. Di ba kapag tennis player naman may babaguhin lang doon sa stroke mo kasi marunong na humawak yang mga tennis player ng raketa eh so may babaguhin lang ng kaunti,” she explained.
Cayetano said within this year, projects on padel will unfold in the country and surely, Bataan will be included. She said that Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia 3rd and 2nd District Rep. Albert Garcia are sports-minded and showed interest in the new sports.
She urged local government units and the private sector to make padel grow and that they have formed Padel Filipinas to help.
Cayetano played with Congressman Garcia, businessman Ramon Garcia who sponsored the construction of the padel court, and other players after the inauguration.
Coach Casao who heads Padel in Action Academy also held training for padel beginners in Bataan.
Joining the inauguration aside from Governor Garcia, Congressman Garcia and businessman Ramon Garcia were 3rd District Rep. Maria Angela “Gila” Garcia, Balanga City Mayor Francis Garcia and board member Tony Roman.
“Ngayon tayo ay sobrang natutuwa sa isang pribadong proyekto na magbubukas dito sa Lungsod ng Balanga ang nagiging popular na isang palarong palakasan para sa ating kalusugan,” Cong. Gila said.
“Ito po yung Padel at ito po ay parang nakaka-excite kasi medyo mas madali yata ito sa tennis, parang pinaghalong tennis at squash at medyo marami sigurong kabataan, ang mga taong gustong maging malusog ang mahihikayat na syempre mag-exercise para sa kanilang healthy lifestyle,” she added.
“Natutuwa tayo na nandito tayo at mawi-witness natin ang pagbubukas ng unang-unang padel court dito sa ating lalawigan at hopefully maging daan ito na mahikayat ang kabataan, ating mga mamamayan at hopefully mas maraming padel court at iba pa pong pasilidad para sa kalusugan ang sunod-sunod na magbukas sa ating lalawigan,” the congresswoman said.
