A Single T-shirt Becomes "Travel Expenses" for Japan National Team Players

The Japan Padel Association (JPA) has launched a limited edition T-shirt sale for its new project, the "Padel Support T Project," which aims to support the overseas challenges of Japan national team players through citizen participation, starting July 1, 2026. One week later, on July 7th, coinciding with Tanabata, a day for making wishes, the association will re-disseminate the aspirations behind the project nationwide. This project is planned and operated by the JPA itself, not by an external merchandise vendor. The proceeds from the limited original T-shirts, with designs changing monthly, will be directly used to support the travel expenses of Japan national team players through the association. For the commemorative first edition, Yoichi Takahashi, the creator of "Captain Tsubasa" and currently the Honorary Chairman of the Japan Padel Association, has been appointed as the supervisor.

In 2025, the women's team became Asian champions. The Asian Games, held locally, are approaching in September.

In 2025, the Japan Padel Women's National Team won the FIP Asia Padel Cup, reaching the pinnacle of Asian competition. Following this, in September 2026, padel will be an official sport at the 20th Asian Games held in Aichi and Nagoya. For the Japan national team players, a major competition on home soil is imminent, and the sport is currently experiencing rapid growth in both competitive strength and public attention. While the number of domestic players and athletes challenging in overseas tournaments is increasing year by year, overseas expeditions to gain international experience involve significant costs such as travel, accommodation, and tournament entry fees, making financial challenges a persistent major hurdle for the athletes.

Why Support with T-shirts? — The Walls of "Funding" and "Recognition" Facing Japanese Padel

Padel is a racket sport played on a court surrounded by tempered glass and wire mesh. With a smaller court than tennis, it's easier for beginners to sustain rallies and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and experience levels, leading to its rapid global spread, particularly in Spain, Argentina, and Mexico. In Japan, while the number of enthusiasts and facilities is gradually increasing, and more athletes are challenging in international competitions, the issue of insufficient recognition for the sport itself remains.

The JPA decided to address these challenges not through one-sided "donations," but by sharing the endeavor with many people through T-shirts, which serve as a "tangible token of participation." This led to the establishment of the "Padel Support T Project," operated by the association itself. Players, fans, competitors, companies, communities, and those who will discover padel in the future will come together to increase the number of people who "play," "watch," and "support" padel, thereby supporting the future of Japanese padel.

Goal: 3,500 T-shirts in 100 Days. If Achieved, the Circle of Support Will Expand Further

The project's goal is to sell 3,500 T-shirts in 100 days. This number corresponds to a support amount equivalent to 5 million yen, based on the estimated travel expenses of 300,000 yen per person for 16 Japan national team players, totaling 4.8 million yen. The T-shirts are sold for 5,000 yen (tax included) each. Of this amount, at least 1,500 yen will be directly allocated to the travel expenses of Japan national team players. Wearing a T-shirt becomes a vote that directly supports a player's challenge. Furthermore, if sales exceed the target of 3,500 units, there are plans to expand support not only to the general national team but also to other categories of Japan national team players, such as junior representatives. As the circle of support grows, so does the base of players who can be supported.

First Edition Supervised by Yoichi Takahashi of "Captain Tsubasa." A Monthly "Form of Support"

A key feature of this project is that different supervisors each month will express a "theme of support" on a single T-shirt. The commemorative first edition for July 2026 is handled by Yoichi Takahashi, globally known as the creator of "Captain Tsubasa" and currently the Honorary Chairman of the Japan Padel Association. Mr. Takahashi, who has inspired numerous athletes with dreams and the courage to challenge through his work, has infused the dynamism of padel and the spirit of challenge into this T-shirt.

Japan Padel Association Comment

For Japan's national padel players to compete globally, it's essential not only to improve their skills but also to create an environment that supports their challenges. The "Padel Support T Project" is an initiative operated by our association itself, transforming the support and aspirations of our patrons into a tangible form through T-shirts. On Tanabata, we will once again deliver this project to many people with wishes for the future of Japanese padel. We hope that as many people as possible will learn about this project and participate in the challenges of the Japan national team through these T-shirts.

Aspiring on Tanabata. Wishes into Action

Tanabata on July 7th is a special day once a year to entrust our wishes. Although this project started on July 1st, the JPA wishes to convey its aspirations to a wider audience on this particular day.

"We want Japanese padel to spread further."

"We want to create an environment where players challenging the world can continue their endeavors."

"We want to foster a culture where supporters can also feel a sense of challenging the world alongside the players."

To realize such wishes, action is necessary, not just wishing. The "Padel Support T Project" is an initiative that transforms these aspirations into a "proof of participation" through T-shirts. Wearing a T-shirt becomes a force supporting the challenges of Japan's national team players and leads to the future of Japanese padel. Especially on a day for writing wishes, we want to provide an opportunity to turn wishes into action.

The accumulation of individual support sustains the players' challenges and creates a new landscape in Japan's sports culture. This is why we are re-launching this project on Tanabata.

About the Japan Padel Association

The Japan Padel Association was established in June 2016 and officially joined the International Padel Federation (FIP) in July 2017. Through raising awareness of padel, promoting the sport, dispatching representatives to international competitions, and fostering talent, it is working to build the foundation for padel culture in Japan.

Details: https://www.japanpadel.com/about/

"Padel Support T Project" Overview

・Project Name: Padel Support T Project

・Organizer: Japan Padel Association (Planned and operated by the association itself)

・Sales Start Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2026

・Content: A participatory support project for Japanese padel through limited original T-shirts sold monthly.

・Goal: Sell 3,500 T-shirts in 100 days (equivalent to 5 million yen in support funds).

・Usage: Support for overseas travel expenses of Japan national team players. After achieving the goal, plans to expand support to national team players in categories other than the general team (e.g., junior national team).

・Sales Price: 5,000 yen per T-shirt (tax included).

・Support Allocation: Minimum of 1,500 yen or more per shirt to be returned to Japan national team players.

・July 2026 Supervisor: Yoichi Takahashi

Special Site: https://jp-padel.com/

Sales Page: https://www.webshop.hando-horizon.com/SHOP/391435/list.html

Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Japan Padel Association Public Relations: Oshima / Yamada

info@japanpadel.com