JK News Today
Jammu, Dec 13: The JK UT PADEL OPEN – Season 1, 2025, organised by the Padel Sports Association of Jammu & Kashmir and affiliated with the Padel Association of India, was formally inaugurated today at Champions Arena, Chowadhi, Jammu.
The event was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Ch. Vikram Randhawa, Hon’ble MLA Bahu Constituency (J&K), in the presence of the Guest of Honour, Advocate Ishant Gupta, State Executive Member, BJP J&K.
The organising committee, led by President Shivang Mahajan and Vice President Sahil Bakshi and General Secretary Puneet Sharma informed that the tournament is being held in three categories. A total of 48 players are participating in the Men’s Doubles category, 20 players in the Mixed Doubles category, and 10 players in the Women’s Doubles category. Players from different districts of both Jammu and Kashmir provinces are taking part in the championship. The final matches of the JK UT PADEL OPEN – Season 1, 2025 will be played on 15 December 2025, and the winners of the tournament will be announced on the same day.
The tournament is sponsored by One Science Nutrition and Head Padel, whose support has contributed significantly to the promotion of padel sports in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
While addressing the gathering, Ch. Vikram Randhawa appreciated the efforts of the organising committee and said that such sports initiatives provide valuable opportunities for the youth of Jammu & Kashmir. He said that sports help young people remain motivated and disciplined and keep them away from social evils such as drug abuse and excessive use of social media. He added that this initiative reflects the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s “Khelega Bharat, Khilega Bharat” and expressed hope that players from Jammu will represent the region at national and international levels in the coming years.
Advocate Ishant Gupta also spoke on the occasion and said that such sporting events help in building physical strength, mental focus, and self-confidence among the youth. He added that sports encourage young people to become self-reliant and atmanirbhar while shaping their future.
The Padel Sports Association of J&K informed that it currently operates the only padel facility in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The association has been actively working to develop the sport through regular coaching programmes, workshops, and challenger events, and presently has a community of around 80 active players.
Padel originated in Mexico and is widely popular in Western Europe and South America. In India, the sport is played in major cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chandigarh, and is now being actively promoted in Jammu city as well.
