MPA seeks Podium backing for Christian-Aidan

NAGOYA: The Malaysian Padel Association (MPA) has urged the National Sports Council (NSC) to consider including Christian Didier Chin–Aidan Yunus and several other national players in the Podium Programme ahead of the 2027 SEA Games in Malaysia.

MPA president Tengku Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Ahmad Tengku Abdullah said the pair's run to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games final, after just four months together, showed their potential to progress with proper support.

He said the association was ready to meet NSC director-general Jefri Ngadirin to discuss its development plans, training needs and financial assistance for the national squad.

"Christian and Aidan deserve consideration. The NSC should assess and monitor their performances because they have shown they can compete at this level at the Asian Games.

"It is not easy to reach the final, especially when they have only played together for three to four months. Imagine how funding for more tournaments together and a full-time training programme could help their preparations," he said.

Tengku Abu Bakar said financial backing was crucial to help players compete in more International Padel Federation (FIP) tournaments, gain experience and improve their rankings.

Although FIP tournaments take place almost every week, travel and entry costs remain obstacles to securing sufficient international exposure.

"The more tournaments they play, the more experience they gain and the more they can improve. Of course, all that costs money, particularly flights overseas," he said.

MPA currently has about eight to 10 national players under its wing and is preparing for next year's SEA Games, scheduled for around September.

Tengku Abu Bakar said Christian–Aidan's silver medal on padel's Asian Games debut underlined Malaysia's potential, making SEA Games gold a realistic target.

"These Asian Games have opened people's eyes to our potential to win gold. Our chances should be greater at the SEA Games.

"We are ready to discuss assistance with the NSC and the Youth and Sports Ministry, including training camps for the national squad," he said.

MPA also plans to establish a grassroots programme to develop players from a young age.

"Most of our players currently come from squash and tennis. Our long-term aim is to build a grassroots programme so more players can take up padel from childhood," he added.