Padel in Dubai: How a Filipino community helped me stay fit, have fun, and find my tribe

Dubai: A few years ago, I hit a health wake-up call. The stress of work was catching up to me, and my doctor advised what I’d been avoiding: Get active, or feel worse. I used to play tennis, loved the thrill of competition and even won a few trophies. But finding regular partners was hard, especially on weekends. That’s when a friend introduced me to padel. And honestly? I haven’t looked back since.

But what truly pushed me to take the game seriously was meeting Ahmed Mehaya.

I once interviewed him and was blown away by his story. Despite wearing leg prosthetics after a life-changing road accident, Ahmed shows up every Friday to play against top-level players, never missing a game. His determination is unmatched, and it made me think: If he can push past that, what excuse do I have? I have two fully functioning legs and every reason to get moving.

Since joining the Pinoy Padelista group, padel has become my favorite way to end the week. We’re a big, welcoming community of around 200 players, mostly Filipinos, plus a few international friends. It’s free to join, open to all, and feels more like family than just a sports group.

Big shoutout to Christine and Rochelle, who help Aten Auro, our amazing organizer, keep everything running smoothly. Their energy, warmth, and willingness to welcome newcomers create a space where even first-timers feel right at home. For many of us expats, far from our families, this group fills that gap. We share more than just court time, we share laughs, food, and life stories.

Oh, and the food. Fridays aren’t just about fitness, they’re a feast. From pancit to cassava cake, bibingka, kutsinta, and rice cakes (thank you, Mau, you legend!), there's always something homemade and delicious to share. When someone has a birthday, Aten brings cake. So yes, we try to get fit, but the calories we burn may come right back. No complaints.

Padel started as a way to beat stress, but it became so much more. Now, I look forward to it every week not just for the game, but because of how it makes me feel:

We play across Dubai, often in Al Quoz, but my favorite spots are ISD Sports City and Paus Club, super clean, great vibes, and plenty of parking (a major win in this city).

As an expat, loneliness hits hard, and boredom hits even harder. But padel changed that. It gave me purpose, connection, and a reason to move.

Now, Friday nights are no longer about parties, they’re about passion. I turn down club invites without a second thought. Nothing compares to the rush of a good rally, the laughter between points, and the sense of belonging to a team that feels like family.

If Ahmed, playing with prosthetic legs, can show up and smash it, what’s stopping me?

He inspires me. The game fuels me. And the people keep me coming back.

If Ahmed can do it, so can I. And so can you.