Media365
Move over, football. Padel is the new sports craze sweeping Hong Kong. With an emphasis on teamwork and camaraderie, the popular racquet sport offers a unique opportunity for people of all ages to connect and stay healthy.
UBS, the world’s largest global wealth manager, is hosting a series of padel pop-up events showcasing the world’s fastest-growing sport, set against the picturesque backdrop of Victoria Harbour. With the establishment of Padel Central, a dedicated, sports and lifestyle hub in the heart of the city, the bank is encouraging individuals to find a balance between work and play.
“Today’s clients are not only focused on growing their wealth – they are also prioritising a healthy, balanced lifestyle,” says Amy Lo, chairman of global wealth management Asia, head and chief executive of UBS Hong Kong. “More than ever, they are seeking holistic services that go beyond traditional wealth management, blending financial expertise with wellness, experience and personal fulfilment.”
Padel is a fast-paced racquet sport, a cross between tennis and squash. Typically played in doubles – essentially four people playing together on an enclosed, glass-walled court about one-third the size of a tennis court – the easy-to-learn sport is experiencing a surge in popularity across the globe, captivating the attention of sports enthusiasts drawn to its interactivity and social nature.
The game is played on around 63,000 courts across more than 130 countries by an estimated 30 million players, of which about 40 per cent are female, including 600,000 federated players who compete in official tournaments, according to a report from the International Padel Federation. The sport, which originated in Mexico in the late 1960s, has gained popularity with athletes and non-athletes alike.
