KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
French-Congolese singer Dadju has launched Padel One, a new facility for the racquet sport at Dubai Investment Park in Dubai. The initiative coming from Dadju signals a coming together of sport, entertainment, wellness and entrepreneurship.
The venue, which opened in November 2025 in Dubai Investment Park, features six fully indoor, temperature-controlled courts with surfaces approved by the International Padel Federation. It is designed for players of all abilities, from professionals and regular enthusiasts to beginners.
Dadju, whose full name is Dadju Nsungula, rose to fame as part of the duo Shin Sekai before building a successful solo music career. Last year, he stepped back from performing to pursue entrepreneurship, inspired by his personal passion for padel and the sense of community it creates. Padel One marks his first major venture in the sport.
"Padel started as something I did in my spare time and quickly turned into a real passion that changed how I move, train and spend my days. Padel One came from wanting to create a place where players at any level can feel comfortable picking up a racquet. By emphasising wellness and the social aspect of the game, my goal has always been to shape padel into something people truly live and enjoy," Dadju said.
The opening attracted attention from high-profile figures including footballer Kylian Mbappe and mixed martial arts fighter Francis Ngannou, along with Theo and Lucas Hernandez, highlighting padel's crossover appeal and Dubai's emergence as a destination for the sport.
Padel, a racquet sport often described as a mix of tennis and squash, is typically played in doubles and is known for being accessible and social. Its popularity has surged worldwide, and demand for quality facilities has grown steadily in the UAE, where facilities such as Padel One now are mushrooming.
The on-site Padel Academy runs private coaching, group sessions, junior programmes and corporate team-building activities with certified coaches. The facility includes a wellness area alongside a studio offering yoga and pilates classes to improve strength, flexibility and focus.