The Abia State Director of Sports, Comrade George Obioma, has been appointed to the Board of the Nigeria Padel Federation, following its inauguration by the National Sports Commission (NSC) in Abuja.
Obioma was among members of the newly constituted board inaugurated on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, as the NSC moves to strengthen the administration and development of emerging sporting disciplines in Nigeria.
The board, headed by Rt. Hon. Jimi Benson as President, has been charged with the responsibility of developing padel in Nigeria, expanding grassroots participation, nurturing talents and creating a pathway for Nigerian players to compete at continental and international championships.
The inauguration formed part of the NSC’s wider initiative to strengthen sports administration and create opportunities for athletes to excel at national and international levels. The Commission said the new boards must prioritise accountability, effective administration, talent development and the expansion of their respective sports.
For Obioma, the appointment represents another opportunity to contribute his experience in sports administration to the development of a new sporting discipline with growing international appeal.
Padel is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It is usually played in doubles on an enclosed court measuring 20 metres by 10 metres, with glass and mesh walls forming part of the playing area. Players use solid, perforated rackets and serve underarm, while the scoring system is similar to that of tennis.
Unlike tennis, the court is considerably smaller, making it easier for players to cover and allowing beginners to enjoy the game relatively quickly. Padel’s social and accessible nature has helped drive its rapid expansion across different parts of the world.
Padel originated in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969, when Mexican businessman and tennis enthusiast Enrique Corcuera created a smaller enclosed court at his home because he did not have enough space for a full-size tennis court.
Today, padel is recognised as one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the world, with its popularity spreading across numerous countries. Its accessibility, relatively simple learning curve and strong social appeal have contributed significantly to its growth.
With the inauguration of the Nigeria Padel Federation Board, the country is positioning itself to take advantage of the sport’s rapid international development.
President Jimi Benson has outlined plans to expand the number of players, clubs and courts across Nigeria, while taking the sport beyond its current centres to schools, universities, corporate organisations and communities.
The federation is also expected to develop junior and women’s programmes, train coaches and officials, organise national competitions and establish a ranking structure that can provide a pathway for talented players to progress from grassroots participation to national and international representation.
The federation’s development agenda could also create opportunities beyond playing the sport, including coaching, club management, sports administration, tournament organisation and other areas of the emerging sports economy.
For Abia State, the appointment of its Director of Sports to the national board provides an opportunity for the state to play a role in the early development of padel in Nigeria and potentially position itself as one of the emerging centres for the sport.
The immediate challenge before the new board is to transform the growing interest in padel into a sustainable national structure capable of identifying and developing talents, building facilities and ultimately producing Nigerian players who can compete successfully on the international stage.
With the sport already enjoying rapid global growth, Nigeria’s new padel leadership will be hoping to ensure that the country does not merely watch the game expand from the sidelines but becomes an active participant in its African and global development.
