Padel Makes Asian Games Debut With Self-Funded Team
Thailand's padel team will compete at the Asian Games in Nagoya this September, marking the sport's continental debut, with the association self-funding the 600,000 baht budget since the federation lacks official government sports status.
Thailand's padel association will make history by competing at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, marking the sport's first-ever inclusion in the continental competition. The Thai Olympic Committee has approved the participation of four padel athletes: men's doubles pair Anop Rawevol and Stefano Mocchola, and women's doubles pair Natalie Nakpraset and Daresai Srirungruang, supported by Spanish coach Miguel Melero Bernal and team manager Suphapluk Chairojn.
Association president Suphapluk Chairojn explained that the sport's inclusion stems from Thailand's strong performance at last October's Asia Cup in Doha, where Thai women finished 6th among 17 nations. The Asian Olympic Council (OCA) invited Thailand to participate after padel became an OCA member. Since padel's national federation is still seeking official sports registration from Thailand's sports authority, the association independently secured the 600,000 baht budget for the team rather than receiving government funding.
Chairojn expressed cautious optimism about Thailand's medal prospects, noting that athletes have trained consistently since returning from the Asia Cup and are now working with the Spanish coach. The main competitors Thailand faces are hosts Japan, Iran, and Indonesia. Padel competition will run from September 29 to October 3, with both men's and women's doubles events offering two gold medals for the sport.
