SAii Lagoon Maldives hosts Maldives’ first inter-resort padel tournament

From 18 to 20 June 2026, SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, in collaboration with the Maldives Padel Association, successfully hosted the inaugural Inter Resort & Partners Maldives Padel Open 2026 at the padel court located at CROSSROADS Maldives.

The tournament was officially inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Ahmed Mohamed Waheed, Minister of State for Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports & Fitness, who delivered the Official Opening Address and highlighted the importance of developing emerging sports in the Maldives.

The tournament marked a significant milestone for sports tourism and recreational sports development in the Maldives, becoming the first inter-resort padel tournament of its kind in the country. Celebrating one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, the event brought together hospitality professionals and sports enthusiasts for three days of exciting competition, camaraderie, and sporting excellence.

Padel continues to gain popularity among resort guests worldwide, and the padel court at CROSSROADS Maldives remains the only facility in the country currently accessible to both international visitors and local residents, providing a unique platform for growing the sport within the Maldives.

Six leading resorts participated in the tournament, including:

• SAii Lagoon Maldives & CROSSROADS Maldives
• One&Only Reethi Rah
• Velaa Private Island Maldives
• Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa
• ROBINSON Maldives

Competing teams included Hideaway Team, SAii Stars, SAii Swing, Kings, RR Court Kings, RRC Challengers, Robinson Noonu, Velaa Infinity, and Velaa Strikers.

Tournament Results & Awards

Champions (1st Place)
Velaa Strikers–Velaa Private Island Maldives Mohamed Sharkheel & Hussain Samil

The Velaa Strikers were crowned Champions of the inaugural Inter Resort & Partners Maldives Padel Open 2026 following an outstanding display of skill, teamwork, and determination throughout the tournament.

In recognition of their remarkable achievement, the Champions were rewarded with exclusive experiences generously sponsored by valued partners:

• SAii Phi Phi Island Village–Three Nights for Two Persons, inclusive of daily breakfast and round-trip sea transfers
• ROBINSON Noonu–Two Nights for Two Persons in a Water Villa on an All-Inclusive Basis

The combined prize package celebrates their achievement as the inaugural champions and recognises excellence in padel.

Runners-Up (2nd Place)
Hideaway Team–Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa Dimithu Dheshan & Emmanuel Sunday

The Hideaway Team secured the Runners-Up position after an impressive tournament campaign and a highly competitive run to the final.

The Runners-Up prize was generously sponsored by ROBINSON Noonu and includes a Two-Night Stay for Two Persons in a Water Villa on an All-Inclusive Basis. Their performance reflected exceptional teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout the competition.

Third Place
RR Court Kings–One&Only Reethi Rah Gaaidh Gasim & Adam Aboobakuru

RR Court Kings secured Third Place following a series of strong performances throughout the tournament.

The Third Place prize was generously sponsored by SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, and includes a One-Night Stay for Two Persons on a Full Board Basis, including return combined airport transfers.

Most Promising Player
Lisle Solivio Stopforth–RRC Team (One&Only Reethi Rah)

Lisle Solivio Stopforth was named the Most Promising Player of the Inter Resort & Partners Maldives Padel Open 2026. The award recognises emerging talent, dedication, and outstanding performance demonstrated throughout the tournament.

The prize was generously sponsored by Ministry of Crab at The Marina @ CROSSROADS Maldives, and includes an exclusive dining experience for two persons featuring a specially curated menu.

Speaking about the event, Hussain Ihvan, President of the Maldives Padel Association, highlighted the tournament’s significance in advancing the sport within the country.

“While padel is still relatively new to many people in the Maldives, it has already gained considerable popularity within the hospitality industry and continues to grow rapidly around the world. This tournament represents an important first step in introducing the sport to a wider audience and creating opportunities for local talent to develop. Our vision is also to develop additional padel courts within the Greater Malé City area to further increase accessibility and encourage wider participation in the sport, while also positioning Maldivian athletes to compete
on the international stage,” he said.

The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Sports, who commended the initiative and its contribution to diversifying the country’s sporting landscape.

Commenting on the success of the event, Alexander Traeger, General Manager of SAii Lagoon Maldives and The Marina at CROSSROADS Maldives, said: “We are proud to have partnered with the Maldives Padel Association to host this landmark event. As a destination that continually seeks to introduce new experiences for both our guests and the local community, we are delighted to support the growth of padel in the Maldives. The enthusiastic participation from resorts and partners demonstrates the sport’s tremendous potential, and we look forward to seeing it flourish across the country.”

The successful conclusion of the Inter Resort & Partners Maldives Padel Open 2026 marks the beginning of a promising new chapter for padel in the Maldives, paving the way for future tournaments, wider participation, and the continued development of the sport nationwide.