More sponsors show support for pickleball competition in Miri

MIRI (Sept 28): Sponsorship continues to pour in for the upcoming Pickleball Inter-club Invitational Games that will be held this Oct 4-6 at Bintang Megamall.

Organising chairman Donny Koo revealed that as of Friday, they had received sponsors for tea break, goodies bags and coconut drinks.

“This competition will be the first of its kind, to be hosted in a shopping mall, so we are thrilled to have many sponsors supporting us,” he said.

Though some have yet to confirm their sponsorships, Koo remains positive that the promotional efforts in introducing the pickleball sport will continue to go well.

Spanning over three days, the matches will be divided into five categories: Open Men’s Doubles; Open Women’s Doubles; Open Mixed Doubles, 50; and Above Men’s Doubles, 50; and Above Mixed Doubles.

Koo added that he is in the midst of a discussion with a sports gear brand that wishes to support the event.

“They will likely sponsor pickleball balls for the fun games session, which we will hold for demonstration and try-out games.

“The session is open to spectators as part of our effort to promote the sport to the public. The winners of the try-put game will bring a new pickleball ball home as a souvenir,” he said.

Additionally, Koo said attractive prizes await the winners of the inter-club invitational games, including cash prizes totalling RM1,600 and a trophy.

“The cash prizes are sponsored by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts I Datuk Sebastian Ting,” he added.

Miri mayor and Pujut assemblyman Adam Yii will be the special guest at the opening ceremony, while the closing and prize presentation ceremony will be graced by Ting.