The Madeira leg of the MEO Empresas Corporate Padel League, the second edition of which was once again held at Quinta do Padel on March 22, 23 and 24, was a remarkable success. With more participation and excitement right to the end, four companies secured their ticket to the final, to be held in Lisbon on April 12, 13 and 14: MEO Empresas Madeira secured their place in both genders, as well as Hotel The Vine (men's) and SAS Madeira (women's). The Vine team confirmed their favoritism, with Paulo Vieira and Pedro Silva winning 2-0 (6-2 and 6-2) against Sérgio Silva and Sérgio Castro da C. Santos, and repeating last year's appearance in the final. "Our aim is to do well at national level and that's why we've assembled a group of excellent athletes. We ended up having a smooth qualification phase, but the aim was also to have fun," said captain Paulo Vieira, a former Portuguese international handball player, who curiously saw his wife and former handball player, Cristina Vieira Gomes, win the women's team at MEO Empresas. The social aspect of the sport was highlighted by the player. "This business tournament has a very pleasant and healthy spirit. Starting with our team, which is a spectacular group."
Also repeating last year's victory was MEO Empresas in the women's section, with captain Lisa Martins teaming up with Cristina Vieira Gomes to beat the SESARAM team (Ana Sousa/Vilma Martins) in a very tight match (2-1, 6-7, 7-6 and 10-7) that held the public's attention. "It was our second win in a row. Last year we came second, and this year it was the same again, after a real 'battle' in a good match. Now we're off to Lisbon, where we're going to give everything. It's one game at a time," said Lisa. The MEO Empresas Madeira thus put two teams in the decider and captain António Cunha Silva highlighted the merit of both genders. "This is the second year in a row that we've managed to qualify both the men's and women's teams, which is fantastic. The women's game had to go to two tie-breaks, but we managed it," he said, hoping to do well now. "The idea is to do as well as possible. Last year we were highly ranked in the women's and mid-table in the men's, but this year we're aiming for the podium. We only work for podiums, not vacations!" he said humorously, after seeing his men's team beat SESARAM 2-0 (6-1 and 6-2).
SAS Madeira also managed to qualify in the women's section, after beating DataMentors 2-0 (6-0 and 6-0). Joana Barros, who teamed up with Madalena Matias, recorded the feat. "It went very well, even better than last year. It's going to be closer in Lisbon, but we're prepared for that, because that's what gives us the 'edge'. The level is different, but we're always learning and we're going all out," she said, noting: "In Madeira, we don't have many federated tournaments, but more social tournaments, and this is also a way for us to evolve in the sport and be better prepared when we go to the mainland."
The social success of padel
As in other stages of this race, the social aspect was very much emphasized by the participants, in addition to the competitive aspect. João Santos, responsible for MEO's business area in Madeira, has no doubt that it was another winning bet. "Padel is a sport that has been gaining fans exponentially, with many practitioners and it's an integrative sport, because it's for all ages and for both sexes. And we've noticed that a large number of our customers are joining in. This is a way of getting in touch with them in a more social and relaxed environment, where we can strengthen ties," he said, adding: "It's networking, where we can talk to them in a more informal way. More than customers, we want them to see us more as partners."
The increased participation of companies means that the MEO Empresas Corporate Padel League is growing. "It's been a success. Last year was our first experience in this area. We're learning and every year it's about getting better, having more teams and an increasingly social atmosphere. It's an initiative to continue," said João Santos, hoping that the brand's two teams will represent Madeira well in the final. Hugo Martins, supervisor at Mimosa, also highlighted the scale of the tournament. "When it comes to promoting our product, the Protein range, it's very important for the brand that we take part in these events, which have national relevance and not just in Madeira. We're in all the shops and the idea is to promote the product as much as possible," he said.
Next stage: Algarve
With no time to lose, the MEO Empresas Corporate Padel League is already packing its bags for its next destination: the Algarve. The closing honors of the competition before the final will be held at the Vilamoura Tennis & Padel Academy, in the Algarve, on April 5, 6 and 7.
A doctor and a former footballer
Elias Gonçalves, an immuno-hemotherapist at the blood bank of the Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital in Funchal, and his wife, Ana Laranjo, a clinical psychologist in the Nephrology and Intensive Care departments, were part of the SESARAM team that discussed their presence in the final and set an example. "It's important for everyone to be able to combine their profession with sport, if possible, of course. As a doctor, physical activity is fundamental and, for those who like to compete more or less seriously, it ends up being fun. Then there's the socializing and the family also comes along and supports. In this case, both husband and wife play. In that respect, paddle tennis is great," commented Elias Gonçalves. The event also brought former Marítimo footballer Briguel to Quinta do Padel.
"I've been practicing paddle tennis since I became Marítimo's sports director, with Daniel Ramos on the coaching staff, and we've taken a liking to it. The sport is important and, out here, the social aspect is brutal, such is the understanding between people from different generations," said the Madeiran. "This is a very good concept, because there are no levels and anyone can play with more experienced and better quality players, which allows you to evolve. Paddle tennis is a sport that's evolving a lot in Madeira and there are already some very interesting youngsters to make a career out of it. It's also healthier than football. Although nobody likes to lose, here it's everyone's conscience, there isn't the physical contact of football, where sometimes there's malice, as I felt with the veterans. There isn't that here, the conviviality is spectacular and then it becomes addictive. Everyone wants to play, evolve and improve."
Quinta do Padel to invest
The Madeira stage was once again held at the model Quinta do Padel, a venue that offered all the conditions for the participants. "This year a few more companies joined us, given the success of the first edition. It's a different tournament, bringing together several companies and there's an opportunity for the athletes to play with people they don't usually play with. There's a mixture of levels and a spirit of teamwork and camaraderie, and normally in other tournaments - where only doubles are played - you don't find this kind of energy in competition. This makes it a unique tournament, which in itself is an added value for the competition," said Pedro Pestana, highlighting the social aspect of the sport.
"Padel was born with a strong social focus, as it is made up of levels and the age group is a little higher, which means that this aspect has a lot of weight in this type of event. And Quinta do Padel tries to reconcile the social and sporting aspects of the events it hosts. We're very pleased with the final result of the MEO Empresas Corporate Padel League".
He confirmed that a new space will be opened soon, in another ambitious investment. "We're in the design phase and taking the first steps, for football. Although nobody likes to lose, here it's everyone's conscience, there isn't the physical contact of football, where sometimes there's malice, as I felt with the veterans. There isn't that here, the conviviality is spectacular and then it becomes addictive. Everyone wants to play, evolve and improve." That we can open a new space, with new components, also based on paddle tennis. A larger leisure space, which we believe will be an asset to the Autonomous Region of Madeira," he said.
Companies investigated
Men's teams:
Hotel The Vine
MEO Empresas Madeira
Women's teams:
SAS Madeira
MEO Empresas Madeira
Calendar
Find out about the next stages, dates and venues:
Regional phase
April 5, 6 and 7, 2024 - Algarve
(Vilamoura Tennis & Padel Academy)
National phase
April 12, 13 and 14, 2024 - Lisbon (Padel Factory - Agualva-Cacém)