A young Omani padel player and coach has set his sights on elevating the sport to new heights in the Sultanate.
“My goal is to see padel become the best sport in Oman, cherished for its fun, fitness, and social interaction, and to make it a part of our culture and daily life,” says HUMAID AL-SHARJI, 34, a senior quantity surveyor at Oman Liquefied Natural Gas (Oman LNG), and an avid tennis and padel player and coach.
Padel, considered one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, is also gaining massive popularity in Oman and is here to stay, he adds.
Humaid, who comes from an illustrious sporting family, began playing tennis when he was just four. “Opening a tennis or padel court has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember,” he says. While working full-time at Oman LNG, he also managed to work as a part-time tennis coach and has now realised part of that dream. “Currently, I run a padel court business. However, I am planning to expand and include tennis and other sports facilities in one location.”
Son of a legend, inspired by a father
Humaid’s affinity for sports comes naturally. He is the son of Barakat Al Sharji, Oman’s most notable former track and field athlete and Olympian, who represented the nation in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. “Growing up with a father who is an athlete and an Olympian has been incredibly inspiring. His achievements and dedication provided a strong role model,” Humaid says. His father, also an avid tennis player, introduced him to the sport at age four and became his first coach. “He taught me everything I know. The discipline and skills I learned in tennis have also fuelled my interest in other racket sports like padel.”
Enjoy both sports
Humaid’s strong tennis foundation served him well when he discovered padel. For him, it was never about leaving one sport for the other. “I enjoy both sports,” he emphasises. The sports are very similar, and his transition to padel was natural. His growing interest led him to open Ola Padel in Sur in 2024, the first dedicated padel facility in South Al Sharqiyah. “I decided to open it in Sur because there were no courts there, and since I work there five days a week, I wanted to be able to play,” he explains.
Excerpts:
You evolved from a tennis player to a coach. Could you briefly describe those days – both the great and challenging moments?
I started as a competitive tennis player, participating in tournaments locally and internationally. Some of the best moments were meeting all the people I encountered during my years of playing and coaching, especially coaching alongside my dad. The memories and experiences I shared with my father are the most treasured, as he taught me everything I know. Among the challenges were the long coaching hours, sometimes starting as early as 5am and continuing late into the night. However, the lessons learned during those times were rewarding and invaluable.
How did the shift from tennis coaching/playing to padel coaching/training come about; more importantly, describe how you discovered padel and how and why you moved into the realm of padel playing/coaching? Also, how would you describe this sport?
It was never a shift; I enjoy both sports. They are very similar, and with my tennis background, transitioning to padel came naturally. The sport has seen a resurgence in popularity in Oman over the past few years. As someone who loves sports and staying active, I decided to learn more, studying the rules, watching videos, and eventually playing.
Padel is dynamic and fast-paced, blending elements of tennis and squash, which makes it highly engaging. One of its best features is its accessibility; it’s easier for beginners to pick up compared to tennis, it’s more forgiving. I decided to open a padel facility in Sur because there were no courts there. Since I work in Sur five days a week, I wanted to be able to play there too. That’s how Ola Padel, the first padel facility in Sur, was born.
When was Ola Padel launched? And why was it launched in South Sharqiyah, Sur?
Ola Padel was established in 2024. It was launched in Sur because there were no padel courts in South Al Sharqiyah.
Are you one of the pioneers of the padel sport in Oman?
I wouldn’t call myself a pioneer. The sport’s popularity in Oman grew very quickly once the first courts opened in Muscat. I’ve simply enjoyed and played the game regularly since those early days.
Is padel a sport that is recognised in Oman? Since you launched the first padel court in Sur, has it spawned more such centres in and around Oman?
Padel is gaining recognition globally and in many countries. While it may not yet be formally recognised in Oman, in recent years it has been increasingly embraced by the youth and sports enthusiasts here. Since the first padel court opened in Oman, there have been multiple initiatives to establish more courts and centres across the country.
Is padel a popular sport in Oman today? Or, does it have to travel some more years to get more popular? Football is Oman’s most preferred and loved sport. How many years would it take for padel to develop into a real nation-loved sport?
Padel is gaining traction, but it is not yet as popular as traditional sports like football. Interest is rising, particularly among younger people and sports enthusiasts. Football has a deeply rooted history in Oman. Padel, being relatively new, will need time to build a similar level of recognition and passion. It could take around a decade or more, depending on promotion and eventual formal recognition by the country.
Who is playing the sport in Oman? Is there an age category? Is it being played by youngsters to seniors here in the Sultanate? Are more Omanis playing it than expatriates or, is it vice versa?
Padel attracts a wide range of age groups, from youngsters to seniors, thanks to its accessibility and fun nature. Both Omanis and expatriates play. The ratio can vary depending on the region and availability of facilities.
Is padel an expensive sport to take up? Also, is it less expensive than tennis and/or squash?
Renting a padel court is typically comparable to tennis court rentals. When split among four players, the cost per person per hour is around OMR5. Renting rackets and balls, if needed, adds about OMR1-2 each. Tennis can be more expensive due to the need for higher-end rackets, more balls, and generally higher maintenance costs. Overall, padel is often seen as a more accessible and affordable option compared to tennis and squash.
Are both men and women playing the sport in Oman?
Yes, both men and women enjoy the sport in Oman
What are the benefits of playing padel? What is the best part of playing this sport?
Padel is an excellent way to improve cardiovascular health, agility, and overall fitness. The game involves constant movement, which helps burn calories and build endurance. Padel can reduce stress and improve mental well-being. Padel is typically played in doubles, making it a highly social sport. It fosters teamwork and communication skills, providing a great opportunity to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships. The best part of playing padel is its combination of fun, fitness, and social interaction. The sport’s dynamic nature and engaging gameplay make it enjoyable and exciting, while the social aspect of playing in pairs enhances the overall experience.
Is padel a competitive sport; meaning, do teams from Oman play against teams from other countries or vice versa, or, is it only a sport that is played only among those in Oman?
Padel is increasingly played competitively within Oman, with local tournaments and leagues organised to encourage participation and skill development. There is definite potential and interest for Omani players to compete internationally in the future.
Your father has the status of being a legend, being one among the first Omani athletes to compete in the Olympics? How was it growing up under such a legend? He was a tennis player too; so, was it from him that you learnt tennis?
Growing up with an athlete and Olympian as a father has been incredibly inspiring. His achievements and dedication provided a strong role model and motivation for my siblings and me. He introduced me to tennis, coached me from age four, and taught me everything I know. His experience and skills were invaluable. The discipline learned in tennis also sparked my interest in other racket sports like padel.
How exactly do you manage your work (that is if you are employed in a company) and playing/coaching?
Balancing a professional career and PhD studies with sports is challenging, but a deep passion makes it possible. It requires clear goals, priorities, and careful scheduling to prevent work and coaching from overlapping, often meaning early mornings or late evenings dedicated to padel. I maintain my physical health through regular exercise, proper nutrition, and sufficient rest to perform well in both areas. Ultimately, my passion for padel drives me to excel in both my professional and sporting life.
What are your dreams as far as playing/coaching padel in Oman?
My dreams are driven by a deep passion for the sport and a vision for its future. I want to see padel become as beloved in Oman as football. I aim to expand access nationwide, establishing more courts and training centres. Through coaching, I hope to nurture local talent to reach their full potential and possibly compete internationally. I envision creating a vibrant, supportive community where people can enjoy padel’s social benefits and its relatively low risk of injury. My ultimate goal is to see padel become the best sport in Oman, cherished for its fun, fitness, and social interaction, and a part of our daily culture.
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