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From stage to sport: Dadju wants to change how Dubai plays padel
The French-Congolese artist-entrepreneur on building a ‘social padel hub’, why the sport is entering its next phase, and what comes next for a growing global brand
- PUBLISHED: Fri 3 Apr 2026, 1:08 PM
Padel may be having a serious moment in Dubai, but for many players, the appeal goes beyond the game itself. It is just as much about who you play with, how you unwind after, and the sense of community that comes with showing up to the court. That is the space Padel One is stepping into, not simply as another venue in a crowded market, but as a lifestyle-led concept built around the full experience of the sport.
Located in Dubai Investment Park, Padel One brings together six indoor FIP-approved courts, recovery and wellness facilities, yoga and pilates studios, and a café and lounge designed to keep people around long after the final point is played. Backed by French-Congolese artist and entrepreneur Dadju Djuna Nsungula, the concept reflects a wider vision of padel as something social, energising and immersive rather than purely competitive.
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For Dadju, whose journey has moved from music into entrepreneurship and investment, the venture feels personal. More than just a business move, it is part of a broader interest in building spaces that bring people together.
Building Beyond Music
“My career as an entrepreneur and investor began shortly after I started achieving success in the music industry,” says Dadju. “I’ve always been drawn to the phenomenal energy that fuels entrepreneurial ventures, and I always knew that I shouldn’t rely on music alone to achieve my objectives.”
A decade into that dual trajectory, he sees both worlds reinforcing each other rather than competing. “I still get just as much joy out of making music, and the profile I’ve built gives me the freedom to move more boldly in business,” he adds, describing Padel One as part of a wider set of “ambitious projects” shaping a new phase of his journey.
That crossover mindset between creativity, discipline, and audience-building feeds directly into how he approaches business. “In music, sports, and business, I believe my successes stem from two factors: the joy I find in meeting new people who are passionate about what they do, and the discipline I impose on myself to ensure I never feel overwhelmed by my own ambition.”
Why Padel — And Why Now
Padel’s rapid rise has been well documented across Europe and the Middle East, but Dadju is clear that the timing of this investment is less about hype and more about maturity.
“Padel exploded in popularity in recent years, and we’re now seeing the market begin to stabilise,” he explains. “The foundations were laid by passionate early players and investors… and we now have a much clearer understanding of the game and what players expect.”
That clarity, he suggests, is what allows the sport to move into its next phase: sustainability. Rather than building a purely performance-driven venue, Padel One leans into experience. “We developed a holistic, unique, and innovative offering rooted in the desire to combine the joy of the game with well-being and the ideal environment for building and nurturing connections — a ‘Social Padel Hub’.”
The concept reflects a broader shift in Dubai’s sports culture, where venues are increasingly designed as lifestyle ecosystems rather than single-purpose facilities. For Dadju, that social layer is not an add-on, it’s central to the business model.
“I want to focus my investments on projects that play a meaningful social role,” he says. “I’m convinced that investing in people’s ability to build strong connections and achieve things greater than themselves is never a bad bet.”
Beyond Celebrity — Building a Community
Padel One’s Dubai launch drew global attention, with high-profile athletes and public figures in attendance. But Dadju is quick to position that visibility as a starting point, not the strategy. “Beyond the invaluable exposure, the presence of internationally renowned figures at the inauguration felt like a strong form of recognition for us,” he says. “It also pushes us to maintain a level of excellence at least equal to the standards these athletes and artists set for themselves.”
The longer-term vision is more structural. He frames it as a “threefold contribution”: helping scale a fast-growing sport, supporting the UAE’s economic momentum, and building more resilient, interconnected business networks.
In that sense, Padel One is as much about ecosystem-building as it is about sport — a venue where networking, community, and lifestyle converge in a way that reflects Dubai’s broader positioning as a global hub.
“We see this project as a kind of showroom,” he adds. “A way to showcase our concept and attract new partners who are eager to join us in what promises to be an ambitious expansion.”
Looking to Africa and Scaling the Model
With Dubai now established as its first base, the brand is already looking ahead to Madagascar. For Dadju, the decision is both strategic and personal. “One of our partners, Nasser Goulamhoussen, is of Malagasy origin. This is a decisive factor in ensuring the successful development of the project,” he explains, pointing to the importance of local insight and trusted networks in scaling the concept.
The opportunity, however, is also rooted in market fundamentals. “The population is around 30 million, yet there are only about 10 padel clubs to meet the growing demand,” he says, contrasting it with the UAE’s far more developed ecosystem.
Combined with a rising interest in the sport, that gap presents what he sees as a timely entry point. “The padel offering on the island is still taking shape and growing rapidly, making it the perfect time to introduce our vision.”
Where Music And Business Meet
Despite the growing scale of his entrepreneurial ventures, Dadju doesn’t see a divide between his identities, only a shared process. “I’m convinced that embarking on any project always begins with a deep desire to explore,” he says. “Seeing myself as an insatiable explorer, I approach artistic creation in the same way I approach entrepreneurship.”
That approach grounded in ideation, trusted collaboration, and refinement applies whether he’s in a studio or a boardroom. “More often than not, my best ideas come from those closest to me,” he adds.
As a passionate storyteller and content writer, Kushmita Bose loves weaving narratives that inform, inspire, and entertain. Whether she's unraveling tech revolutions, dissecting industry reports, or bringing a brand’s journey to life, Kushmita thrives on transforming ideas into captivating stories. When she’s not busy crafting content, you’ll probably find her daydreaming about her next travel adventure.