The Professional Padel Association of Ghana (PPAOG) has become the latest federation to be registered under the National Sports Authority after its launch on Thursday.

The ceremony was held at the S2 Sports Complex in Spintex, Accra. The PPAOG has four courts at the S2 Complex to be used for the Padel Accra Open starting on Friday and subsequent tournaments.

The President of the association, Jean Said, explained the thinking that went into the establishment of the association.

“We brought the sport to Ghana in November 2022 and we didn’t want to leave it just like that. We wanted to regulate it, develop it and create a championship, and a national team.

“To do that you had to go through a federation or an association.”

The Vice President of the association, Nour Seklaoui, says their goal is to raise a national team as soon as possible to represent Ghana at international competitions.

“The ultimate goal is for a Ghanaian team to represent Ghana internationally, excel and raise the flag high. Instead of only Black Stars, we would love to have Golden Stars to represent Ghana in any Padel Games.”

The deputy director of the national sports authority, Majeed Bawa, who represented the sports minister, Mustapha Ussif, lauded the Professional Padel Association of Ghana for taking such a bold step to introduce the sport in Ghana.

There was also a demonstration of how padel is played by some selected players.

The Professional Padel Association of Ghana has become the latest federation to be registered under the National Sports Authority after its launch yesterday.@_benin_ has more in this report.#JoySports pic.twitter.com/lG4WavHzaZ

— #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) March 1, 2024