From Paralympian to Padel pioneer in Dubai: Alessandro Ossola’s mission to make sport accessible for all

Dubai: Italian Alessandro Ossola seemed to have it all, a peaceful life built on routine, structure, and the comfort of knowing what tomorrow would bring. But in August 2015, everything changed in a heartbeat. A devastating motorcycle accident not only cost him his leg, but also claimed the life of his first wife. In a single moment, his world was shattered. What followed was not just a physical recovery, but a powerful journey of rediscovery, resilience, and reinvention.

Instead of retreating, Alessandro rose. Today, the Italian motivational speaker, record-holding Paralympian, and founder of the Inclusive Padel Tour is inspiring a new generation of athletes and redefining what’s possible.

We caught up with him in Dubai, where he’s now based, fresh off the court after a game of padel. Wearing a prosthetic and moving with remarkable agility, Alessandro, 37, plays at a B-level standard, leaving even seasoned players in awe.

After the accident and the amputation of his left leg, most would have slowed down. Not Alessandro.

“I started training again right after completing physiotherapy,” he shares. “I had a strong desire to return to a full life.”

That “full life” took him from the track, where he still holds Italian records in the 60m, 100m, and 200m sprints, to the padel court.

“Padel is the most inclusive sport in the world,” he says. “After two Paralympic Games and a bronze at the European Championships, I wanted something new, something that keeps pushing my limits.”

And that “something” became a global movement.

What started in 2022 as a single tournament pairing players with and without disabilities has now grown into the Inclusive Padel Tour, a first-of-its-kind global platform.

“We have over 80 players from around the world competing across three continents,” Alessandro explains. “From Dubai to Rome, Miami to Nice, each event is proof that sport can be a bridge, not a barrier.”

He’s also working closely with the International Padel Federation to lay the groundwork for Paralympic Padel as an official sport.

Playing with a prosthetic hasn’t just changed how Alessandro competes, it’s changed how others see possibility.

“It’s a whole new dimension,” he says. “Padel is one of the few sports I can play standing, while still performing at a high level. And anyone can play, that’s the beauty of it.”

Whether you have a disability or not, Alessandro believes padel belongs to everyone.

Now calling the UAE home, Alessandro says Dubai offered the ideal backdrop for growth both personal and professional.

“I’m honoured to have received a Golden Visa from the UAE Government,” he says. “It allows me to build my work as a motivational speaker, travel with the tour, and develop inclusive sports programs here.”

And with clients like Ferrari, and Coca-Cola, Alessandro's work off the court is as impactful as his game on it.

When asked about the future of the Inclusive Padel Tour, his response is both hopeful and strategic.

“We’re looking for the right partner, whether it’s a fund, a person, or an organization, who believes in the power of sport to spread peace, inclusion, and hope across the world.”

Because for Alessandro, inclusion isn’t just a mission, it’s a way of life.

From unimaginable loss to unshakable purpose, Alessandro’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless hope. Whether sprinting on the track or smashing volleys on the padel court, he continues to push boundaries, not just for himself, but for a global community of athletes who dare to dream beyond limitations.

In Dubai, where the skyline meets ambition, Alessandro is building something far bigger than a sports tour, he’s building a movement. One that says ability is a mindset, inclusion is power, and sport is for everyone.

And if his journey proves anything, it’s this: even when life changes your path, you still get to choose the direction.

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