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-Editorial
As part of International Women’s Day, the Unidas Por El Diente 8M (United By The Tooth) event brought together female athletes and entrepreneurs for a padel tournament held at Palestra Mexicali. The event was led by Dr. Génesis Guerrero González, General Director, along with Andrea Mariles.
This was the second year of the tournament, which has seen exponential growth in participation. “We started this project a year ago with the idea of celebrating March 8th with a women’s tournament. Today, the number of women signing up and playing has tripled or even quadrupled,” said Guerrero González.
The event focused not only on sports but also on female empowerment in professional and business fields. “We consider ourselves feminists, and we love promoting women in both sports and professional settings. Many of us own businesses outside the tournament, and we enjoy integrating them into this supportive community,” she added.
One of the tournament’s most symbolic features was the jerseys worn by the players, which exclusively displayed logos of businesses led by women. “This is a way to honor female leaders and entrepreneurs, giving them visibility in an event that celebrates sisterhood and professional growth,” noted the organizer.
The event featured a special panel with the participation of Congresswoman Michelle Sánchez Allende and poet and journalist Arlenziu Tapia. Both delivered messages of empowerment and gender equality, reinforcing the importance of the feminist movement in professional and sports settings. “We took this opportunity to ensure that players didn’t just come to compete but also left with a meaningful message about International Women’s Day,” explained Andrea Mariles, one of the organizers.
Initially, the tournament was exclusively for dentists, but due to its success and growth, it has opened participation to other professionals. “These tournaments have gained a lot of popularity, and many people have asked for the opportunity to join. That’s why we now allow at least one of the two team members to be a dentist, while the other can be from any profession,” said Mariles.
In addition to the tournament, the event included a commercial expo featuring local and national dental companies, offering everything from orthodontic products to implants and specialized equipment. “We are focused not only on promoting sports but also on strengthening the local economy through vendor booths and the presence of dental brands from across the country,” Mariles added.
The rise of padel in Mexico, combined with the high concentration of dentists in Baja California, and Sonora, has made this tournament an ideal meeting point for the dental community and other professionals. “This event is not just about sports; it’s also about integration, education, and strengthening the dental sector. Our goal is for it to keep growing and reach a national level,” concluded Mariles.
Samantha Carolina Fernández Álvarez, a specialist in oral rehabilitation, highlighted the importance of the event. “I’ve had the opportunity to meet many female dentists from different places, such as Los Algodones, San Luis Río Colorado, and Mexicali. Events like these help us build a network where we can support each other,” she said.
Beyond the sports aspect, the tournament allowed participants to create both professional and personal connections. “Padel is a sport played in pairs, which fosters trust. This is the first time we’ve participated in a team tournament, and it has been a great experience. The organization was excellent, and I hope this event continues to grow, even at a national level,” added Fernández Álvarez.
“I am very proud to be part of this community. Initially, the tournament was only for dentists, but over time, it has opened up to the general public. This is very positive because it allows us to connect and show that, as women, we are hardworking and committed to what we do,” expressed participant Claudia Maricia Baun González.
This event not only celebrates sports but also highlights the importance of gender equality. “We commemorate March 8th by striving for greater equality. We want these initiatives to continue growing and creating spaces where women can develop in different fields,” she added.