Borneo Pickleball International Tournament attracts global players

KUCHING : Borneo Pickleball International Tournament 2024 sees an incredible turnout with players from Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, Thailand and Taiwan also participating.
Chairman of Borneo Pickleball International Tournament 2024, Ruslan Bujang said that he was thrilled to see such a fantastic turnout with 40 teams in the team event, 27 pairs in mixed doubles for veterans, and 51 pairs in novice doubles.
“We will not be able to make this happen without the support of our state government under the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing arts (MTCP) and also the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurs Development (MYSED).
“I would also like to extend our utmost gratitude to our strategic partner BESarawak, our sponsors, Malaysia Pickleball Association, Sarawak Pickleball Association, Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Skechers, Sarawak Energy Sdn Bhd, WTK, Pikabol, Starbucks, Odysportz, Dal and last but not least, Pickleball Global for coming together with us in making BPIT happen. Without all your assistance, BPIT will still only be a dream today.” he said.
Ruslan said that the sport had grown all over the country and was now dubbed as one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
“We aim to host BPIT biannually to nurture and train more strong athletes in this sport.
“When the right time comes, we hope that our government can see the potential of pickleball and include it in the Borneo Games, Sukan Sarawak and even SUKMA,” he said.
Ruslan was delivering his address at the launching ceremony for Borneo Pickleball International Tournament at the Pikabol Complex today (Oct 10).
He also took the opportunity to thank BPIT2024 partners — Books Build Legacy CSR Programme by BESarawak, Malaysia Airlines, CPH Travels, Sarawak Tourism Board and The Hemisphere — for their support from day one in providing services to the participants and helping to develop sports tourism in Sarawak.
Additionally, Oscar Choo, managing director of PIKABO, stated that PIKABOL would serve as Malaysia’s powerhouse, providing an arena where aspiring players could learn from the best, seasoned veterans could refine their skills, and everyone could enjoy the thrill of competition. 
He shared  that he envisioned a future where the arena would become a beacon of pickleball excellence, attracting players from near and far.
For the record, the inaugural tournament and arena opening not only celebrated the achievements of athletes but also positioned Kuching as a premier destination for international pickleball events, contributing to the growth of the sports and tourism sectors in the region.
Also present at the event were Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Amelia Roziman, CEO of Business Events Sarawak, Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan, CEO of Sarawak Sports Corporation, president of Kuching Pickleball Association, and Farrel Choo, president of Malaysia Pickleball Association, Delima Ibrahim, president of Sarawak Pickleball Association.