Ruslan Bujang, President, Kuching Pickleball Association (left) exchanged the Memorandum of Collaboration with Dato Sri Abang Haji Abdul Karim bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, BESarawak's Chairman, during the press conference. Photo Credit: BESarawak
Sarawak is poised to make pickleball history with the
#BorneoPickleball International Tournament, which will be held in
Kuching from 9–12 October. With a prize pool of RM20,000 (US$4220), the
tournament is expected to bring in 500 players and 2,000 regional
visitors.
Organised by the Kuching Pickleball Association, with support from
BESarawak as the event’s Exclusive Strategic Advisor, the tournament
aims to set a sustainable gold standard for international sporting
events.
The tournament is endorsed by the Malaysia Pickleball Association,
the Sarawak Pickleball Association, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and
Entrepreneur Development Sarawak, and the Ministry of Tourism, Creative
Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak.
Partners for the tournament include the Sarawak Tourism Board,
Malaysia Airlines, Grand Margherita Hotel, Riverside Majestic Hotel, and
CPH Travel.
At a press conference, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister
for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak and Minister for
Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak highlighted the
significance of the International Tournament to showcase Sarawak’s
ability to host global sporting events and boost its image as a sports
tourism destination.
Fostering legacy and inclusivity
Emphasising the
significance of community development, BESarawak's Chairman, Dato Sri
Abang Haji Abdul Karim bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, highlighted the
potential legacy of the tournament. "This Tournament can be a recurring
event and transformed into a potential legacy for the pickleball
community and Sarawak's sports tourism," he stated.
“The Tournament's outreach goes beyond the competition itself as the
Kuching Pickleball Association partners with us to include the 'Books
Build Legacy' corporate social responsibility programme with a target of
2,000 book donations in aid of Sarawak's rural schools."
In line with its commitment to inclusivity, the tournament will
feature three categories: open (team), women’s singles, and novice,
welcoming participants from corporate organisations, public sectors,
associations, clubs, and other interested communities and individuals.
Registration for the tournament closes on 31 August 2024.