Huzaifa, Huzaima lift Pakistan’s first National Padel title

ISLAMABAD, Apr 13 (APP):The emerging duo of Huzaifa Abdul Rehman and Huzaima Abdul Rehman continued shining in Pakistan’s fast-growing padel circuit, clinching the pro mix Men’s Open title at the country’s inaugural National Padel Championship and reinforcing their status as the nation’s most dominant pair.

Organised by the Pakistan Padel Federation in Lahore, the landmark event marked a major step in the formal recognition and development of padel in Pakistan, attracting more than 100 players from across the country.

In a one-sided final, Huzaifa and Huzaima outclassed Sami Zain Khan and Ahmed Kamil in straight sets, winning 6-1, 6-2 to lift the historic title. Their victory not only earned them the top prize of Rs500,000 but also further cemented their growing dominance on the national circuit.

The sibling pair has been on an impressive winning streak, capturing multiple titles in recent months and consistently outperforming top-ranked competitors. Their rapid progress has also translated onto the continental stage, where they currently hold a ranking of 32 in Asia Pacific’s Padel Tour — a position that reflects their steady climb and potential to break into the elite tier of the sport.

With their aggressive gameplay, strong coordination and tactical maturity beyond their years, Huzaifa and Huzaima are widely regarded as future flag-bearers of Pakistan padel. The duo is well on course to secure a place among Asia’s top-ranked players in the near future.

The timing of their national title could not be more significant. Pakistan’s National Padel Championship also serves as a major qualifying opportunity for the Asian Games, offering Pakistani athletes a prestigious pathway to represent the nation on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages. The 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 will be held from 19 September to 4 October 2026.

The duo, who come from a strong tennis background, have made the transition to padel with extraordinary fluency. Both regularly train at Padel Deck in Islamabad, and Huzaima has spoken passionately about what drives him: “It’s not just a sport. It’s a mindset. Padel teaches you to think on your feet, adapt quickly, and stay mentally sharp.” He has also credited his training environment: “The environment at Padel Deck has played a key role in my development. I’ve had the chance to train with skilled players, improve my strategy, and stay consistent with my fitness.”

Meanwhile, the championship also witnessed impressive performances in other categories. In the Women’s Open event, Asifa Shahbaz and Shiza Sajid emerged as national champions after defeating Ushna Sohail and Mehak Khokhar, while Muhammad Qasim and Faisal Anwar clinched the Veterans title.

The tournament featured a total prize pool of Rs3 million, with cash rewards distributed among winners, runners-up, and even semi-finalists and quarter-finalists — an initiative aimed at encouraging emerging talent.

The successful hosting of the championship, attended by dignitaries including Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, has been hailed as a milestone for the sport in Pakistan.

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