By Faten Omar

KUWAIT: The BNK Padel Open finals concluded on Saturday with the participation of Kuwaiti, GCC and international players, including Juan Lebron, the world number one. The professional Spanish padel player is at the top of the World Padel Tour ranking.

During an interview with Emirati media figure Haitham Al-Hamadi, BNK Group Chairman Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi said the BNK Padel Open can see the success of the tournament from the turnout of Kuwaiti people attending the matches. "Although padel is new to Kuwait, the audience did not let us down, as attendance was huge. Even the Spanish players were surprised by the wonderful organization and attendees," he said.

BNK Padel honors Boubyan Bank

BNK Padel honors DISC clinic

BNK Padel honors National Investment Company

Kharafi praised the efforts of the organizers, sponsors and BNK team, indicating the tournament would not have been successful without them. "I am grateful for the efforts of our team. It took us three to four months of continuous work to reach what we have accomplished today, and we will hopefully witness more annual tournaments. Kuwait and GCC deserve the best," Kharafi added.

The final took place at The Arena Kuwait on January 20 and 21, with the event broadcast on beIN SPORTS. The winning team received two Volvo cars with a total prize of KD 103,000, the highest in the Middle East.

Bader Al-Kharafi with his family

In the pro GCC men's final, Abdulrahman Al-Awadhi and Arturo Coello emerged as champions, with Aziz Mayoof and Juan Lebron in second place. Winners in the pro GCC women's final were Fatma Al-Nabhani and Martita Ortega, with Mariam Al-Sarraj and Ari Sanchez in second place. The champions of men's pro were Agustin Tapia and Arturo Coello, while Paquito Navarro and Juan Lebron stood second. Winners of women's pro were Ariana Sanchez and Paula Jose Maria, with Bea Gonzales and Martita Ortega in second place.

Powered by Volvo Kuwait, the event was sponsored by Gulf Cable, National Investment Company, Boubyan Bank, SVN, Huawei, Gia, BackBurner, Padel IN, Floward, DISC clinic, Arkan Al-Kuwait Real Estate and Kuwait News and Kuwait Times as media sponsors.

Bader Al-Kharafi honors the champions Abdulrahman Al-Awadhi and Arturo Coello with Volvo cars.

Bader Al-Kharafi (left) and Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Muhammad Al-Abdullah (right) with the champions of BNK Padel Open.

Bader Al-Kharafi (right) with Khaled Falah, Spanish Ambassador to Kuwait Miguel Aguilar and Ari Sanchez

Bader Al-Kharafi (right) with UAE Ambassador Matar Al-Neyadi, Spanish Ambassador Miguel Aguilar and US Charge d’Affaires James Holtsnider.

Bader Al-Kharafi and Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Abdullah

Dr Ziad Al-Alyan (center) with Abdullah Al-Roudhan and Meshal Al-Jarki

Nader Golsharifi with Hassan Al-Mousawi

Volvo team

Winners of BNK Padel Open

Kuwaiti padel player Aziz Mayoof playing with Spanish padel player Juan Lebron

Madi Al-Khamis with Hamad Al-Mosawi

Malik Marafie and Eduardo from the organizing committee