Hidden Sports News #1 - Is Europe's fastest growing sport causing too much noise?

Hey everyone!

Welcome to the first edition of Hidden Sports Weekly! I’m thrilled to have you join me on this journey through the exciting world of sports! Where non-league football drama unfolds, padel players push the limits, and emerging athletes are forging their own paths.

We are going to be posting about the stories that you won’t see pop up on your news app, will be unlikely to be the hottest news of the week but are super interesting for anyone that truly loves sports at all levels.

Love a sport that we’re not talking about? We probably love it too and lots of others here would love us to be posting the latest news so do get in touch and let us know what you’re passionate about.

Padel

World Padel League Debuts in Mumbai

The inaugural World Padel League began on February 5 at the Nesco Center in Mumbai, marking a significant milestone for padel in India. The event aims to boost the sport's profile in the region and attract new enthusiasts.

Noise Complaints Challenge UK Padel Club

Winchester Racquets and Fitness Club in Hampshire faces formal action from the local council due to noise complaints from neighbors. Residents likened the sound of padel play to "gunshots" and expressed concerns over potential club expansion. The club has six months to address the issue or risk fines or prosecution.

Non-League football (Soccer)

Promotion Race Heats Up

Notts County and Wrexham continue to set the pace at the top of the National League, each locked in a fierce promotion battle. While no head-to-head clash fell on 1–2 February, their recent form and upcoming fixtures remain major talking points—particularly as Wrexham’s FA Cup exploits have drawn extra attention to non-league football this season.

Weather Disruptions

The ongoing wet winter weather has caused postponements and pitch inspections across several leagues. Keep an eye on rearranged fixtures throughout February, as midweek congestion can affect teams chasing promotion or battling relegation.

Financial Challenges & Ownership Changes

Off the pitch, a handful of non-league clubs continue to wrestle with ownership uncertainty and financial strain. Though less headline-grabbing than top-tier transfer news, these developments can dramatically impact clubs’ survival and performance.

Tennis

Simona Halep Announces Retirement After Transylvania Open

Former world No. 1 Simona Halep, 33, announced her retirement from professional tennis following a straight-sets defeat at the Transylvania Open in Romania. Halep, who returned to competition last year after a doping suspension, expressed that the decision was heartfelt and acknowledged the challenges of returning to her previous level of play. She retires with 24 singles titles, including victories at the French Open in 2018 and Wimbledon in 2019.

ATP Increases Challenger Tour Prize Money

The ATP has announced a record prize money pool of $28.5 million for the 2025 Challenger Tour season, marking a $6.2 million increase from the previous year and a 135% rise since 2022. This boost aims to provide better financial support for lower-ranked players striving to break into the ATP Tour.

Emerging sport - Kabaddi

Kabaddi is a dynamic contact sport that originated in India, blending elements of wrestling and tag. It involves two teams of seven players each, taking turns to send a "raider" into the opposing team's half to tag as many defenders as possible and return to their own half without being tackled, all in a single breath. The sport demands agility, strategy, and teamwork, and has garnered significant popularity across South Asia and beyond.

Nepal Kabaddi League Inaugural Season

Nepal launched its first professional Kabaddi league, the Nepal Kabaddi League (NKL), organized by Astrionix Management. The inaugural season took place from January 17 to January 31, 2025, featuring six franchise teams representing major cities:

• Biratnagar Bandits

• Dhangadhi Wild Cats

• Himalayan Raiders

• Janakpur Knights

• Kathmandu Mavericks

• Pokhara Lakers

The Janakpur Knights clinched the championship title by defeating the Kathmandu Mavericks in a closely contested final. The league aims to promote Kabaddi in Nepal and provide a platform for local talent to showcase their skills.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our first addition of Hidden Sports Weekly! We’re passionate about sports and we know that you are too. If you like our content then please do share it with others that would enjoy it too and of course, help us out by hitting the subscribe button 💪

Look out for next week’s edition where we’ll dig into more sports stories you’ve never heard about!