Sarawak will host Malaysia’s first-ever MATTA Malaysia Pickleball Grand Slam 2025 (MPG2025) from October 7 to 20, 2025, marking a major milestone for the sport and positioning Malaysia as a key sports tourism destination.
A Major Boost for Pickleball in Malaysia
Organized by the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), the tournament will take place at PIKABOL, Malaysia’s Pickleball Powerhouse in Kuching. The event is expected to attract 1,350 participants from Malaysia and abroad, with over 2,600 visitors expected in total.
Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah highlighted the event’s significance, stating,
“Additionally, with a total prize pool of RM100,000, the largest cash prize in the region, this tournament will undoubtedly attract top-tier talent and inspire more Malaysians to take up the sport.” – (Rahman Hamzah)
His speech was read by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (Tourism) Dato Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew during a press conference.
Pickleball’s Growing Popularity in Sarawak
Deputy Minister Ting emphasized that Miri has played a key role in the development of pickleball in Malaysia, being one of the earliest cities to adopt the sport.
Pickleball has been expanding across Malaysia, with active participation in divisions such as Kuching, Miri, Sibu, and Sarikei. Nationally, the sport has spread across 11 states, showing increasing popularity.
“The entry point is quite easy compared to other sports. It is relatively less aggressive, and the cost is lower. All you need is a racket and a plastic ball to get started.” – (Ting)
Official Endorsements and Tournament Details
The event is endorsed by the Malaysia Pickleball Association, Sarawak Pickleball Association, and Kuching Pickleball Association. It is also supported by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) Sarawak and the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Sarawak.
To strengthen the development of pickleball and sports tourism, MATTA has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Malaysia Pickleball Association, ensuring long-term collaboration.
MPG2025 will feature multiple competitive categories, including men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles, with divisions catering to different skill levels and age groups.
Impact on Sports Tourism
The tournament is expected to provide significant economic benefits to Sarawak, boosting tourism, hospitality, food, transport, and retail sectors. With its record-breaking prize pool and international participation, MPG2025 aims to elevate Malaysia’s status in the global pickleball community.
Also present at the event announcement were MTCP acting permanent secretary Desmond Douglas Jerukan, MATTA President Nigel Wong, and MATTA Sarawak chairman Oscar Choo.
News in Brief: MATTA Malaysia Pickleball Grand Slam 2025
Sarawak will host Malaysia’s first-ever MATTA Malaysia Pickleball Grand Slam from October 7-20, 2025, at PIKABOL in Kuching. The event will feature a RM100,000 prize pool and over 1,350 participants. Organized by MATTA, it aims to promote pickleball and boost Malaysia’s sports tourism industry.
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