Pickleball gains momentum in Miri, but weighed down by lack of courts

Sim (sixth left) with members of the Northern Sarawak Journalists Association (NSJA) during a workshop on pickleball at GCM on Oct 3, 2024.

By Tedong Rantayy

MIRI, Oct 3: Pickleball, a relatively new sport on the global stage, is making strides in Miri, attracting players of all ages and backgrounds.

What started as a niche activity is now blossoming into a community-driven sport, thanks to the efforts of passionate advocates like Yvonne Sim, President of Pickleball Miri.

“We want to make sure the people of Miri can enjoy this game,” Sim shared when interviewed today.

“Pickleball is easy to learn and accessible to all, from young students to senior citizens in their 70s and 80s, as long as they’re mobile.”

In a bid to further popularise the sport, more workshops are planned, particularly targeting secondary school students.

Over the past three years, inter-school competitions have helped introduce pickleball to schools like St Joseph, St. Columba, Pei Min, and Newton International School.

While some schools, such as Riam Secondary School, are still in the process of forming their own pickleball clubs, the momentum is growing.

“One of our key goals is to integrate pickleball into the school curriculum, which would make it easier for students to access the sport,” said Sim.

Collaborations with the Education Department are underway to make this a reality, allowing the sport to flourish at the grassroots level.

Pickleball Miri has already established a solid foundation since 2019, with over five affiliated clubs registered under the association.

Among them are Warrior Club, led by Dr Jack Wong, City Chaser, City Citrus, and Santo.

These clubs, with memberships ranging from 15 to more than 25 players, meet regularly at venues like the Gymkhana Club Miri (GCM) outdoor courts. However, the limited number of courts poses a challenge, as demand far exceeds availability.

“On any given day, we have over 280 players vying for just 32 available slots at GCM,” Sim noted, emphasising the need for more courts.

She hopes that with the support of Miri’s elected representatives and community leaders, more pickleball courts will be built, particularly in central locations like GCM, Marina, or Tanjong.

Pickleball’s popularity is growing steadily, and with continued efforts to promote the sport among schools and the wider community, its future in Miri looks promising. — DayakDaily