Padel Takes Root in Cambodia: The Launch of Khmer Padel in Phnom Penh
Cambodia’s recreational scene just got a new boost with the launch of the country’s first-ever padel club in Phnom Penh. Thanks to a dynamic collaboration between local and regional players, Khmer Padel is introducing the world’s fastest-growing racquet sport to eager sports enthusiasts in the capital. The project began with the VietPadel team, co-founded by Seila Desurmont, who saw potential in Cambodia’s growing interest in new and exciting sports. With three successful padel clubs and over 1,000 regular players in Vietnam, the team set their sights on expanding into Cambodia.
“Cambodia is my country of origin, and I am proud of this project, which will bring a great addition to Phnom Penh’s sports scene,” shared Seila Desurmont. “I hope that in the near future, we will see Cambodians competing regionally and internationally in this sport.”
A Growing Sporting Interest in Phnom Penh
With its youthful population and growing interest in new sports, Phnom Penh presented a prime opportunity to introduce Padel. Confluences, a leading player in bringing foreign opportunities to Cambodia, later played a critical role in helping the project succeed. Gerard San, Sales Manager at Confluences, highlighted the company’s involvement: “People might think Confluences only does studies and big projects. But this project shows we can bring opportunities from outside Cambodia. We believe this project will help our community, and that’s what’s most important.”
The team behind Khmer Padel, led by co-founder and senior coach Linh Lu, pushed the project forward with vision and determination. While previous attempts to bring padel to Cambodia had fallen short, Khmer Padel succeeded in breaking ground, securing a prime location along Preah Norodom Boulevard—one of Phnom Penh’s most central and vibrant areas.
Confluences’ Role in Bringing Padel to Cambodia
The development of the padel club was made possible by the support and expertise of Confluences Access, the consulting branch of Confluences, which initially conducted a market study to assess the city’s sports infrastructure. Damien Desurmont, co-founder of VietPadel, noted the importance of this collaboration: “Confluences and its CEO were very proactive. Even though we already had the idea in mind, the key was to find the right partner to help us locally, and the Confluences team with Soreasmey was definitely the one. They helped us deliver this project in record time.”
With the soft opening already creating a buzz, the club boasts three covered courts and plans to expand further. Khmer Padel also includes a food and drink area, providing a social space for players and spectators alike. As Phnom Penh’s newest sports hub, it promises to add a fresh dimension to the city’s recreational offerings.
The Growing Popularity of Padel
For those unfamiliar, padel is an exciting mix of tennis and squash, played on a smaller, enclosed court with doubles teams. Its use of surrounding walls makes the game fast-paced and engaging, while its accessibility ensures that people of all ages and skill levels can enjoy it. Already hugely popular in Spain and Latin America, padel is rapidly spreading across Europe and Asia—and now, Phnom Penh is joining the global movement.
Khmer Padel’s grand opening is scheduled for October 12th, a date that is sure to be eagerly anticipated by Cambodia’s sporting community. Whether you’re a seasoned player or completely new to the game, this is an event not to be missed.
For more information about Khmer Padel, visit their Facebook page or website at www.khmerpadel.com. For inquiries, contact their hotline via Telegram at +855 (0)15 995 750.
Author: Tom Starkey
Tom Starkey is an International Development graduate from Sussex University with 12-years of experience across 4 continents, Tom's goal is that he wants to showcase his love for Cambodia, where he lives, works and now happily calls home.
