Indonesia moves to professionalise padel as sport’s rapid rise fuels demand for licensed coaches, referees

JAKARTA: Indonesia is taking a decisive step to turn padel’s viral popularity into a sustainable sport, with the country set to produce its first batch of internationally licensed coaches and referees this year.

It marks a milestone for a sport that has exploded across Indonesia in just over two years – especially in the capital Jakarta, where courts and communities have mushroomed at a rapid pace.

Padel, one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, is often described as a cross between tennis and squash. It is played with a solid, perforated paddle and a low-pressure ball that produces a softer bounce. 

Its forgiving rules make it easy to pick up for beginners, seniors and families. Players are allowed to enjoy long rallies from their very first session.

For many, the journey into padel began with curiosity and a bit of social pressure.

“Everyone was playing padel. We tried it and we were terrible. We couldn’t hit the ball,” said padel player and Jakarta resident Silvi Ong.

“Then curiosity kicks in – you try again or maybe get coaching. Slowly, you get into padel and start to enjoy it.”

In Jakarta, padel’s rise has been driven by social nature and a strong fit with its residents’ urban lifestyle.

Clubs often function as social hubs rather than traditional sports facilities, helping to build tight-knit communities.

Digital platforms have also lowered barriers to entry.

Booking app AYO has simplified court reservations and match organisation, lowering barriers for newcomers to the racket game.

It plans to roll out additional features later this year, including a player rating system.

The system will be based on a player’s match data rather than their self-assessment of how good they are,  said AYO Indonesia co-founder and CEO