The President of the Thai Olympic Committee has confirmed his support for the Thai Padel Sports Association to register as a "Sports Association of Thailand" as quickly as possible, in order to give athletes the opportunity to compete in major sporting events and to be ready in time for the 34th SEA Games in Malaysia next year. Meanwhile, the President of the Thai Padel Association expressed gratitude to the Olympic Committee for the opportunity to participate in the Asian Games, stressing that the athletes are fully prepared to compete.
On 24 July 2026, at the Thai Olympic Committee under Royal Patronage, Mrs. Supalak Chairoj, President of the Thai Padel Sports Association, led a delegation of association executives to meet Asst. Prof. Phimon Sriwikrom, President of the Thai Olympic Committee, to express gratitude for the Olympic Committee's support in sending Thai national padel athletes to compete in the 20th Asian Games in Japan. Also present were Major General Chaiyapak Siriwat and Dr. Suwanna Silapacha, Vice Presidents of the Olympic Committee.
On this occasion, the President of the Thai Padel Sports Association also presented the history and achievements of the association since its founding in 2019 and its membership in the International Padel Federation (FIP). The Olympic Committee President congratulated and commended the association for its work and dedication throughout this period, and extended support for athletes to participate in the Asian Games — the first time padel has been included as a medal sport — with all budget and expenses managed entirely by the association itself. Grand Sport provided kit support for the athletes in this competition. The preparation of the athletes at this stage is considered to be at a very high level of readiness.
Asst. Prof. Phimon said that since padel is a new sport that has been included as a medal event at this Asian Games, and the Thai Padel Sports Association, although long established, is still awaiting registration as a Sports Association of Thailand, it does not meet the criteria for the Sports Authority of Thailand to allocate budget support for sending athletes to compete in international multi-sport events. It is therefore one of the responsibilities of the Thai Olympic Committee to act as the sending organisation for the athletes, in order to give Thai athletes in this sport the opportunity to compete, develop their skills, and achieve results at the international level.
"This is a great opportunity for Thai padel athletes to participate in the Asian Games for the first time — a significant first step. I have personally confirmed that I will help push for a Sports Association of Thailand status to be established as quickly as possible, so that athletes do not miss out on the opportunity to represent the country in various competitions, especially the 34th SEA Games in Malaysia next year, in which padel has already been included," said Asst. Prof. Phimon.
For this Asian Games, padel will be contested in two events — men's doubles and women's doubles — with two gold medals at stake. Thailand is entering both events with four athletes: men's players Anon Rawer and Stefano Moscola, and women's players Natalie Nakprasert and Daret Sriroungruang. The team's coach is Spanish national Miguel Maulero Bernal, with Mrs. Supalak Chairoj serving as team manager. The total budget is initially estimated at 600,000 baht.
