KUCHING: Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan has called for the expansion of pickleball into rural communities, aiming to engage youth and families in the sport.
Currently, he said pickleball was played in major cities such as Kuching, Bintulu, Miri, and Sibu, with some activities in Sri Aman.
Snowdan emphasised the need to introduce this game to rural areas, particularly among the youth.
“For example, my constituency is rural-based. I have a newly completed mini-stadium that we will start using next year, where I would like to introduce pickleball. It has a large hall with four badminton courts,” he said.
Snowdan pointed out that the badminton courts could be converted into pickleball courts, making it easier to introduce the sport to rural communities.
“To them, it’s still a strange or unknown game. Until we show them what it looks like, they won’t understand.
“I showed them a video of pickleball and explained that it is a mix between tennis and badminton,” he said when representing Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the launch of the Borneo Pickleball International Tournament at the Pikabol complex today (Oct 10).
Snowdan expressed his excitement over the sport’s growth and highlighted that pickleball was an inclusive sport suitable for all ages.
“It’s a family game, and people are quite curious about it. I’m excited to have a pickleball court inside the hall, where we can introduce the game and potentially host tournaments in the future.
“This sport is trending now and pickleball is a good game,” he said.
Snowdan added that his ministry was enthusiastic about the future growth of pickleball in Sarawak and Malaysia.
“We are looking forward to the development of the Borneo Pickleball International Tournament and eagerly anticipate the introduction of new categories.
“This initiative will help nurture young talent in the sport, potentially leading to the emergence of future stars,” he stated.
Snowdan also suggested that the Borneo Pickleball International Tournament be included in Sarawak’s tourism calendar as an annual event.
Also present at the event were Amelia Roziman, CEO of Business Events Sarawak, Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan, CEO of Sarawak Sports Corporation, Ruslan Bujang, chairman of Borneo Pickleball International Tournament 2024 and president of Kuching Pickleball Association, and Farrel Choo, president of Malaysia Pickleball Association.
