Over 500 players participate in inaugural Borneo Pickleball International Tournament

KUCHING (Oct 13): The inaugural Borneo Pickleball International Tournament (BPIT) has opened up a platform for players to showcase their talents in the increasingly popular sport.

The tournament was made more special for over 500 pickleball players, as they were the first group to compete on the largest pickleball court in Southeast Asia.

For photographer Afiq Aziz, 36, and his doubles partner, fellow photographer Izzudin Mohd Razali, their victory in the Novice Doubles category is significant as it was their first time teaming up in the category.

“Syukur Alhamdullilah, we were blessed to win the men’s novice doubles category. Both of us are determined to join more tournaments in the future, not only to improve ourselves but also to gain more experience.

“We also hope more tournaments will be held in Kuching, as I see pickleball is growing rapidly in Malaysia and has long been popular in the United States. We look forward to joining more competitions and mastering the game further,”  Afiq said when met at the tournament’s closing ceremony at Pikabol here today.

Both Afiq and Izzudin were awarded gold medals and Skechers Vipercourt Pro shoes for their victory.

Meanwhile, for Hari Mohan, in his 50s, who began his pickleball journey seven years ago, his continuous success in the sport has motivated him to keep fighting on the court he loves.

Originally from Singapore, Hari along with his doubles partner Varsha Majmudar, often spend time on the court and shares his experience in training new players eager to pick up pickleball.

“At this age, I still continue to play pickleball and especially as I keep winning medals on and off, it motivates me to keep playing more and more. Again, I’ll hope for the best so I’m hoping for the gold,” he said.

Hari, who works as an officer at a conglomerate in Singapore and is one of the most respected pickleball players in Southeast Asia, emerged as the Mixed Doubles Veteran alongside Varsha, and received a cash prize of RM1,000, medals and Skechers Vipercourt Pro shoes.

BPIT 2024 was organised by the Kuching Pickleball Association (KPA) in collaboration with Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) and is supported by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, the Malaysian Pickleball Association and Sarawak Pickleball Association.

KPA president Ruslan Bujang said pickleball was introduced in Malaysia in 2019 and over 20 pickleball clubs have been established in Sarawak, involving four associations in the Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri divisions.

He said he and pickleball clubs throughout Sarawak are actively planning and implementing various programmes to elevate the sport to a higher level.

“We hope with the participation of local players and top competitors from countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Taiwan, pickleball will continue to advance to greater heights.

“This signifies that pickleball is gaining popularity among players and fans of the sport. I hope this tournament will serve as a new stepping stone for the advancement of pickleball in Sarawak,” he said when met at the event.

The closing ceremony was officiated by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative lndustry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan, who presented prizes to the winners from champions to third-place finishers in both categories.

Also present were KPA president Ruslan Bujang, BESarawak chief executive officer Amelia Roziman, SPA president Delima Ibrahim and Pikabol managing director Oscar Choo.