The highly anticipated Sunbet Padel Invitational, founded by media personality Kriya Gangiah in partnership with Sunbet, is set to make its debut in February 2025, offering an exciting blend of sport, celebrity interaction, and corporate engagement. This unique Padel Invitational, a first of its kind in South Africa, gives everyday padel enthusiasts and teams the opportunity to compete alongside South African sports icons and celebrities in a spirited intermediate and advanced showdown over two days. The invitational will then tour premier locations across South Africa, showcasing the sport to fans nationwide.
Padel is the fastest growing sport in South Africa right now. The first padel court was built in South Africa at the end of 2020 with 176 courts across the country at the end of 2022. In April 2024, over 400 padel courts have been built across the country with over 100,000 South Africans taking up the sport, according to Playtomic, the sport’s leading booking platform.
Kriya Gangiah explains that the remarkable growth of padel in South Africa has opened up various opportunities to take the sport to the next level in the country. “Padel has become South Africa’s fastest-growing sport, and it’s been thrilling to see the community that has developed around it. The Sunbet Padel Invitational will not only allow fans to play with their favourite celebrities but will bring the excitement of padel to new regions and fans, further strengthening its presence in South Africa.”
Sunbet VIP Manager, Ben Allworth, echoed this sentiment, noting, “Sunbet is proud to be a partner in this groundbreaking event. This Invitational gives us the opportunity to connect with the South African sporting community in a meaningful way while bringing a premium sports experience to fans and businesses alike. We’re looking forward to the energy and competitive spirit that this unique event will bring.”
The tournament will kick off on 22-23 February 2025, hosted by Time Square at Africa Padel Brooklyn in Pretoria, with plans to extend the event across South Africa’s top holiday destinations.
Celebrities that have confirmed their participation at the inaugural Sunbet Padel Invitational include Ashwell Prince, Stanton Fredericks, Charl McLoed, Rupert Kaminski, Schalk Brits, Mika Abrahams and Rudy Paige.
Supported by BooYaa Living Golf and other remarkable brands soon to be revealed, the Sunbet Padel Invitational promises an unforgettable experience for padel enthusiasts and those new to the sport.
