Spanish two-time world padel champion Willy Lahoz is determined to grow the sport of padel in South Africa, a game described as a mix of squash and tennis. Lahoz, who has signed a five-year contract with Balwin Properties, plans to make the sport more accessible by offering affordable options, especially for residents. He acknowledges that padel, which has become one of the fastest-growing sports globally, is often expensive due to court bookings and specialized equipment. Working with Balwin, Lahoz hopes to offer competitive pricing and open up the sport to people from all backgrounds.
Balwin Properties CEO, Steve Brookes, notes the strong demand for padel courts and emphasizes the importance of making them easily accessible to the public. Brookes also envisions South Africa building a strong national team, drawing inspiration from the success of South African rugby, particularly with Siya Kolisi's leadership. Lahozs efforts aim to put South Africa on the map in the world of padel, creating more opportunities for local players to compete internationally.
