Increased Interest in Squash and Padel Sports in Krasnodar Region
In the vibrant sports scene of Krasnodar, Russia, two exciting racket sports – padel and squash – are making their mark.
Padel, often referred to as a 'grown-up' version of tennis, is experiencing a surge in popularity. The sport, which shares many similarities with tennis, allows the ball to bounce once before it is hit and can be directed onto the opponent's side of the court, after a bounce, or after hitting the glass or net. The padel court, bounded by glass barriers at the back and netting on the sides, measures 20 by 10 meters.
Evidence of padel's growth in Krasnodar can be seen in the plans to build a super-sized padel centre, despite some local debate due to noise concerns. This expansion indicates a growing interest in the sport, warranting significant investment and infrastructure development. As of now, around 500 people are engaged in padel in the Kuban region, with promising prospects for athletes to compete at international levels.
Squash, on the other hand, is present but perhaps less prominent. References to squash in Krasnodar are mostly in the context of sports offerings at hotels or recreation centers, suggesting a slower growth rate compared to padel. However, since 2022, squash has been developing at an official level in the region, with players assigned ratings and holding competitions.
Squash originated from European colonizers who combined elements of several existing games and introduced special rackets and a unique ball. Players stand facing a wall and take turns hitting the ball against the wall. The ball must bounce once on the opponent's side before they hit it back. The objective of the game is to score a certain number of points, with scoring similar to tennis (15/30/40). Squash is considered a hybrid of tennis and chess due to its dynamic nature and significant intellectual component.
Squash is suitable for all ages, with players starting as young as 8-9 years old and no upper age limit. The game begins with a serve, with the server standing behind the back line and hitting the ball diagonally onto the opponent's half. If a player can't return the ball after one bounce, their opponent gets a point. The match is up to 11 points, with the serve changing to the losing player.
In Krasnodar, Alexei Aliferov serves as the President of the Krasnodar Krai Squash Federation and Vice-President of the Krasnodar Krai Padel Federation. Squash courts and sections have been opened in fitness clubs and budget sports schools in the region, and a squash centre is planned to be built in Sochi for local athletes to train and serve as a base for preparing federal teams.
In the realm of padel, the rackets have a larger surface area made of carbon fiber instead of strings and have holes that reduce weight and improve aerodynamics. The ball in padel is almost identical to a classic tennis ball.
As both sports continue to develop in Krasnodar, more opportunities for competition, training, and recreation are likely to emerge. With the growing interest in padel and the steady presence of squash, the future of these sports in the region looks promising. However, more local sports reports or federation data would be needed for a precise assessment of development trends.
Padel's increasing prominence in health-and-wellness and lifestyle pursuits in Krasnodar is evident in its growth beyond sports offerings, with plans for a super-sized padel center indicating significant investment and infrastructure development for this sport.
Squash, while not quite as popular as padel in the health-and-wellness and lifestyle arena of Krasnodar, has begun to develop at an official level, with organized competitions and assigned ratings, suggesting a rise in interest and potential for future growth.
