Rafa Nadal Academy to hone tennis stars in Kuwait



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Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait will be a part of the first multi-facility and services complex for tennis in Kuwait. Image: Tamdeen Group

The biggest international tennis academy in the Middle East will come up in Kuwait. Tamdeen Group – Kuwait’s mixed-use property developer who has grown into a driving force of development in the State – has signed on the dotted line with Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar.

The landmark launch of the Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait has been announced. Bearing the name of all-time tennis great Rafael Nadal, who will end the 2019 ATP season as the world’s top ranked player, the Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait will formally open when the celebrates tennis player personally inaugurates the Academy in February 2020.

The Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait will serve as the training and developmental hub of the all-new Shaikh Jaber Al Abdullah Al Jaber Al Sabah International Tennis Complex in Kuwait. One of the pioneering public-private partnership projects of the country, the world-class complex is the biggest sports initiative in value and size under the Kuwait Public Authority for Sport.

Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in Spain is one of the world’s leading tennis centers and is responsible for training young players and preparing them for the tennis of the future.

As part of a 263,000m2 development alongside Tamdeen’s flagship 360 Mall, Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait will be a part of the first multi-facility and services complex for tennis in Kuwait.

Aside from tennis coaching facilities, the Academy will also be equipped with fitness centers for men and women, and a players’ lounge with a thrust on healthy food and beverage offerings.

The Shaikh Jaber Al Abdullah Al Jaber Al Sabah Tennis Complex attributes for 18 courts, including a multi-use covered arena with more than 5,000 seats, a secondary open court with 1,500 seats, eight covered courts, and eight open courts.

Each court enjoys Masters 500 Cushion acrylic international standard surfaces, advanced soundproofing methods, and folding and fixed seats designed by celebrated architect and designer Sir Norman Foster. The multi-functional space will boast five-star hotel, as well as retail outlets, cafes, and restaurants.

The project will be a high spot in 360 Mall’s continued evolution as Kuwait’s preferred entertainment and lifestyle destination.

A press meet held recently at Tamdeen Group’s headquarters at 360 Mall announced the setting up of the Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait. The press conference was graced by Mohammed Jassim Khalid Al-Marzouq, Chairman of Tamdeen Group, Toni Nadal, Tennis Director, Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar (Mallorca), and uncle and former coach of legendary tennis star, Rafael Nadal, Nuno Marques, Head of Tennis, Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait and a former ATP player and Portugal Davis Cup Captain, and Maribel Nadal, sister and 20-year confidante of Rafa Nadal. Specifics of the visionary sports infrastructure project and its ultimate goal: To empower regional grassroots tennis and create future champions in Kuwait – was explained in the press meet.

Speaking about the deal, Chairman of Tamdeen Group, Mohammed Jassim Khalid Al-Marzouq, remarked, “In the race for excellence, there is no finish line. Our vision is clear and Tamdeen is delivering on its promise to reshape the State’s urban and social landscapes. Our commitment to this project is four-fold: Aid national development schemes outlined by our wise leadership, leverage progressive public-private partnerships to facilitate world-class infrastructure projects, construct facilities which establish Kuwait and its championships on the international sporting map; and foster a fertile environment for Kuwaiti athletes to excel in international sports.”

“We thank Toni, Rafa and the entire Academy team for their commitment to Tamdeen and Kuwait. With our shared vision and values, and the collaboration of the Kuwait Tennis Federation and Kuwait’s General Authority for Sports, the Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait at the Shaikh Jaber Al Abdullah Al Jaber Al Sabah Tennis Complex will drive awareness of tennis and healthy living among Kuwaiti youth and attract a new generation of fans to the sport and general fitness. Today, we provide the platform to turn dreams into reality. By utilizing our wealth of experience alongside some of the leading international experts in the field, the project has been designed to keep pace with the State of Kuwait’s significant position in the world of tennis. Finally, I would like to send our congratulations to Rafael on ending the year as the world number one – it’s a truly amazing achievement,” added Al-Marzouq.

Toni Nadal explained to media persons the decision to join hands with Tamdeen to build Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait. He cited collective synergies and the stakeholders’ shared goals for excellence as the reason to collaborate with the property developer.

“We have been working so that players from all over the world train in tennis and life skills in Mallorca (in Spain), where we try to instill in them the importance of hard work, sacrifice and humility so that they perform as well as possible and give their all. Here in Kuwait, we seek to do the same with young children and adults who come to these magnificent facilities. Nuno and the whole team of coaches will guarantee that the quality of our training is at par with the best in the world. With the aid of our great partner Tamdeen, we will help grow the sport in Kuwait,” said Toni Nadal.

Expressing his pleasure on the new venture, tennis great Rafael Nadal commented in a video address, “I’m personally very happy to open the Academy in Kuwait. We’re working hard to create the right programs for the kids and our members, making for strong development of tennis all over the region. See you very soon.”

Vision to create Kuwaiti tennis champions is in keeping with the spirit of Tamdeen’s commitment to reshape the urban and social landscapes of Kuwait.

With the launch also serving as the opening for membership applications, Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait will provide an opportunity to Kuwaitis and regional tennis and fitness freaks to enjoy state-of-the-art facilities and professionally certified coaches who represent the planet’s best tennis player.

Nuno Marques, the Rafael Nadal Academy by Movistar coach with a wealth of experience behind him, said he is firm on producing a future Kuwaiti tennis champion. He will take on the role of Head of Tennis at Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait. Nuno revealed that they will tie up with the Kuwait Tennis Federation to allow the sport to grow domestically.

“The Rafa Nadal methodology includes five main sections: Tennis training, physical training, mental training, nutrition and competition. We are bringing that method to Kuwait. We want to create national champions, yet every journey must start at the beginning. Our coaches will engage with members, visitors and the community to transfer tennis knowledge and stress the importance of healthy, active lifestyles. By working hand-in-hand with Tamdeen, we will educate, excite and engage our players and deliver a platform to develop talent and fulfill lives. Our journey starts today.”

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