MIRI: Around 50 players from St Joseph’s Secondary School Miri, St Columba’s Secondary School Miri, Pei Min Middle School Miri and Knewton International School Miri took part in the Miri Under-19 Secondary Schools Pickleball Open recently.
The tournament was organised by the Miri Division Pickleball Association, and was the first pickleball tournament for secondary schools in Malaysia since the sport was established in 2019.
The competition was held at the Myy Mall Pickleball Arena.
In the Boy’s Singles, Xavier Lu (St Columba’s Secondary School Miri) finished first while Kanish Singh Jethi (St Joseph’s Secondary School Miri) and Yili Zheng Phang (St Joseph’s Secondary School Miri) were second and third respectively.
Amanda Yong Qien Rouh (Knewton International School Miri) won the Girl’s Singles, followed by Khoo Sze Min (St Columba’s Secondary School Miri) and Angela Yong Qien Yuan (Knewton International School Miri).
In the Boy’s Doubles, Kanish Singh Jethi-Gareth Jia Wei Liew (St Joseph’s Secondary School Miri) finished as champions while Xavier Lu-Adriel Shawn (St Columba’s Secondary School Miri) and Ezra Xavier Entering-Yii Zheng Phang (St Joseph’s Secondary School Miri) were second and third respectively.
Amanda Yong Qien Rouh-Angela Yong Qien Yuan (Knewton International School Miri), Grace Agnes Lee Yenn Huei-Michelle Obek Yenn Xin Lee (St Joseph’s Secondary School Miri) and Khoo Sze Min-Natasha Lee (St Columba’s Secondary School Miri) were first, second and third respectively.
The Mixed Doubles was won by Adrian Yong Zhao Heng-Amanda Yong Qien Rouh (Knewton International School Miri).
Kanish Singh Jethi-Grace Agnes Lee Yenn Huei (St Joseph’s Secondary School Miri) placed second while Xavier Lu-Khoo Sze Min (St Columba’s Secondary School were third. Miri mayor Adam Yii gave away the prizes.
“We look forward to getting more schools playing pickleball. There will be more programmes and competitions coming up to encourage more students to take up the sport,” said Miri Division Pickleball Association president Yvonne Sim.
Currently there are three state associations for the sport, namely Sarawak Pickleball Association, Negeri Sembilan Pickleball Association and Penang Pickleball Association.
In Sarawak, there are two divisional associations – Miri Division Pickleball Association and Kuching Pickleball Association.
Pickleball is currently played in Sarawak, Sabah, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Pahang.
