Pickleball now gaining popularity among Mirians, says minister

MIRI (Aug 5): Pickleball is gaining popularity among Mirians this year, judging by the encouraging reception to a just-concluded competition here.

Organised by Miri Division Pickleball Association (MDPA), the Miri Closed Pickleball Novice Tournament 2024 recorded participation of 76 players.

“Last year, there were only 47 participants taking part in the tournament.

“This year, we have 76 participants, which shows that this sport is gaining popularity in Miri,” said Minister of Transport Sarawak Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin in his speech for the closing ceremony at MYY Mall Lutong last Sunday.

The Senadin assemblyman also observed that some schools here had picked up this sport as one of their activities.

“One of them is Riam Road Secondary School (RRSS),” he added.

Adding on, Lee also reminded all Mirians to be actively involved in any sports or fitness activities.

“We have been talking about healthy lifestyle, and one way to do it is through exercise.”

The tournament, which kicked off last Saturday, hailed Ikhwan Musa Sallih and Thomas An as the Men’s Doubles champions, with the pairs of Tai Hong Ling-Alvin Tan, Jordan Lim-William Lim, and Mohd Firdaus Yazid-Abang Zikri Abang Kiprawi finishing as the respective runners-up.

In Women’s Doubles, Cheryl Sim and Pei Ling Tay came out tops, with teams Carmen Lee-Cheen Cheen Ho, Tammy Goriss-Emma Alicia, and Audrey Tang-Chiew Pei Hung placing the respective second, third and fourth.

Cheryl also excelled in the Mixed Doubles challenge, where she partnered with Liau Kim Chai.

For this category, the respective runners-up were the pairs William Lim-Yvonne Voon, Bin Qing Chieng-Cheen Cheen Ho, and Clarence Ping Michael-Mohammad Arif Sapawi.