Pickleball set to rise as prominent sport in Sarawak, says Snowdan

KUCHING (Oct 10): Pickleball has tremendous potential to grow as a prominent sport in Sarawak and eventually in the region, said Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative lndustry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan.

In noting the fast growing popularity of the new sport which is a combination of table tennis, tennis and badminton, Snowdan said he felt that the sport could even be featured in national and regional competitions.

“Pickleball is a new and now a trending sport which has spread its wings all over Sarawak.

“I am excited to see its growth not only in our community but also in future in the Malaysia Games (Sukma), Borneo Games or even in Southeast Asia (SEA) Games,” he said at the opening of the inaugural Borneo Pickleball International Tournament (BPIT) at Malaysia’s biggest pickleball centre Pikabol here today.

Highlighting that the sport was played in major towns and cities in the state, Snowdan hoped that pickleball could be introduced to the rural areas as the sport is not well known in those areas.

The Balai Ringin assemblyman said he has plans to bring the sport into his constituency where badminton courts at the Balai Ringin Stadium could be converted into pickleball courts.

“We will also actively advocate for pickleball to make its debut in future sports events, be it in Sarawak or in Malaysia itself.

“We are enthusiastic about the future growth of the Borneo Pickleball Invitational and eagerly anticipate the introduction of new categories.

“This initiative will help nuture young talents in the sport, potentially leading to the emergence of future stars like Simone Jardime and Ben Johns,” he said.

Snowdan also suggested that a bigger BPIT can be organised next year and the ministry can even make it a sports tourism product and give full support to the organisers.

Earlier, BPIT organising chairman Ruslan Bujang said Sarawak was thrilled to see a fantastic turnout of 40 teams in the team event, 27 pairs in the veteran mixed doubles and 51 pairs for the novice doubles.

Among the prominent participants are Malaysia No. 1 and Asia No. 3 singles player Colin Wong, and Asia No.1 doubles player Dwi Mahendra from Indonesia.

“We aim to organise BPIT biennially where we can nurture and train more strong picklers in this sport.

“And when the right time comes, we would hope that the Sarawak government can see the potential of pickleball to be included in Borneo Games, Sukan Sarawak and even Sukan Malaysia,” he said.

Also present were Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan, Business Events Sarawak CEO Amelia Roziman, Pickleball Malaysia president Farell Choo, Sarawak Pickleball Association president Delima Ibrahim and Pikabol managing director Oscar Choo.