OVERLAND PARK, Kansas (KCTV) – One of Europe’s fastest-growing sports can now call the Kansas City metropolitan area home thanks to six teammates from Sporting KC.

Members of La Casa del Padel, the first padel club in the greater Kansas City area, met for the first time in Overland Park on Saturday morning, August 10. Padel, one of the fastest growing sports in Europe, has now made its debut in the Midwest.

Officials pointed out that the sport involves rackets and started in Mexico. It has been compared to a mix of tennis and squash. La Casa del Padel is not just a club, but a passion project that was born through the hard work of six football players from Sporting KC: Roger Espinoza, Andrew Fontas, Uri Rosell, Johnny Russell, Daniel Salloi and Graham Zusi.

The founder said they found a way to relax off the court through padel, and now they are business partners as well. One of the club’s co-founders said it’s about bringing Kansas City residents together.

“That’s one of the things, that we’re bringing this sport here for the first time, as the first club,” said Daniel Salloi. “And we want to give back to the community and invest in the community and make sure more people come here and try this new sport and connect through padel.”

The club now offers teammates an opportunity to share the culture and rising popularity of the sport in Kansas City. It is located at the corner of 91st and Metcalf Ave., 6800 W. 91st St., Overland Park.

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