Public padel courts now in Talisay

Senator Pia Cayetano and Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas yesterday led the inauguration of the newly-built Talisay City Sports Facility, home to the country's first public padel courts, as she called on government leaders to invest in sports as a way of building healthier and stronger communities.

- Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP

Cayetano, a longtime triathlete, said public officials must provide spaces where sports can be accessible to all.

“Our job as public officials is to create the facilities, the venues, the environment for sports to become part of our lives. That’s why this facility had to be built,” she said.

She explained that while people can run or bike almost anywhere, padel requires dedicated courts. Padel, a sport becoming popular around the world, is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash typically played in doubles on an enclosed court about a third of the size of a tennis court.

She stressed that Talisay’s new facility is not just about padel but also includes a basketball and volleyball court, chess and table tennis areas, and spaces for cultural gatherings.

“One of the secrets to healthy aging is socialization,” Cayetano said, “after playing, people can stay, talk, and bond. This is about building a culture of sports and wellness.”