A minute of silence in Doha for the flood victims in Valencia

In that minute of silence, the whole world of padel was present. Everyone. Not only those in Doha showing deep and unending solidarity with the Spanish team, but also an infinite embrace for Spain itself. The International Padel Federation first conveyed this message on social media — immediately upon receiving the initial devastating news of the flooding in Valencia — and then, through a minute of silence before the men’s semifinal between Spain and Italy. Sixty seconds of mourning for the flood victims, requested by FIP President Luigi Carraro, in agreement with the President of the Spanish Padel Federation, Ramon Morcillo, and the Secretary General of the Qatar Tennis Federation, Tariq Zainal, also President of Padel Asia. These sixty seconds also honored those still missing, with the hope that the numbers would be lower than those reported to Doha by Spanish and international media.

At the end of the match, which secured the reigning Spanish world champions a spot in the women’s final of the FIP World Championships in Doha against Argentina, Iciar Montes, captain of the Spanish national team, and Ramon Morcillo wanted to honor the flood victims in Valencia during the press conference. In a moment of deep emotion, the Spanish Federation’s president shared: “It’s incredibly hard, terrible, unbearable. The news we’re receiving from our loved ones in Spain”, said Ramon Morcillo, wearing a black armband, “are the same as what you’re reading in media around the world, but I assure you that hearing those heartbreaking things from the voices of people who love you wounds your heart even more. We’re here, and, as you can imagine, playing sports at this moment isn’t easy at all. But now we want to win the World Championship even more, to dedicate it to the victims of this immense tragedy and to our country”.

FIP President Luigi Carraro, also moved, said: “Spain is the home of padel and, therefore, of each of us. When a tragedy like this strikes your home, the pain becomes even more unbearable. The FIP stands with the families of the victims, with those who are still waiting for news about their loved ones who remain missing, with those working tirelessly to keep hope alive, and with everyone suffering from this immense tragedy. We think of Valencia, of what it has represented and continues to represents for our sport, which is why the FIP is already planning how and when to organize support events for the people of this beloved city”.