TV personality Kem Cetinay takes on 24-hour padel challenge for charity
British radio host Kem Cetinay has announced a gruelling feat – 24 hours playing padel – to raise funds for Capital Weekender’s official charity, Make Some Noise.
The former ‘Love Island’ star will put his limits to the test on 9 October as he rotates opponents for 24 hours – and joining him on the court will be some of his celebrity friends, Capital Weekender presenters and special guests as his opponents.
Cetinay has taken on the padel challenge to raise funds for Capital’s official charity, Make Some Noise, an organisation funding vital projects by small charities across the UK that tackle issues including mental health, poverty and homelessness.
Rapid growth
Padel has grown rapidly across the country, with six of the top 10 revenue-generating padel clubs worldwide now located in the UK, writes Sports News Blitz’s Shameeka Voyiya.
“I love padel and I’ve played some long games before, but nothing like this! 24 hours on the padel court is going to be brutal! No doubt my arms and legs will be aching, but I’m so ready to push myself to the absolute limit,” Cetinay told Charity Today.
Cetinay, who has been vocal about his passion for the sport, has spent the last two years playing and attempting to master padel.
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Gruelling preparation
An average padel match lasts an hour and a half, with the duration usually dependent on factors such as the players’ skill level and the match setup.
The sport is fast-paced because it employs a short scoring style (best of three sets, with each set consisting of six games).
Because a padel marathon may not be the standard (or recommended) experience for many, Cetinay will require significant preparation, endurance and recovery to complete the upcoming feat.
Tough challenge
“I have been training and getting a feel for what is ahead, and I already know it’s going to be tough,” Cetinay said.
“But if it means raising money for the incredible projects that Global’s Make Some Noise supports, then every rally, every hour, and every blister will be completely worth it! I’m determined to give it everything I’ve got.”
During the Capital Breakfast show, he revealed that the longest he has ever played was three hours, and that the original plan was a 12-hour stint until he and his team decided to double the period.
The Capital presenter is set to begin the challenge in London during Capital Breakfast with Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby on Thursday, 9 October, and will put down his racket 24 hours later on Friday, 10 October.
