Sarawak’s Pickleball Revolution: Sarawak is strengthening its position as Malaysia’s pickleball hub, with Bandar Kuching Member of Parliament Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen leading efforts to surge the sport through major competitions and youth training programs. Yii plans to organize a large-scale tournament in Kuching this August, with details to be announced soon.
Sarawak’s Role in Pickleball’s Growth
Pickleball, which originated in the United States, first arrived in Malaysia through Miri, making Sarawak the birthplace of the sport in the country. Over the past two years, it has gained widespread popularity, and Yii is committed to ensuring Sarawak becomes a national leader in the game.
“Pickleball holds a special place in Sarawak’s sports heritage, and I am proud to see its growth, especially in the past two years.” – (Yii)
“This sport is inclusive, welcoming players of all backgrounds, young and old, and I believe we have the potential to excel in it.” – (Yii)
“I hope to see Sarawak shine on the national stage, and it would be incredibly meaningful if we could win the first gold medal in pickleball at the upcoming SUKMA (Malaysia Games).” – (Yii)
Upcoming Tournament and Youth Development
Yii is working with key partners, including a major organization and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, led by Hannah Yeoh, to organize a major pickleball event in August.
“I’m in discussions with a large organization to put together the competition, and I am grateful for the support of Hannah.” – (Yii)
“Together, we aim to make Kuching a true powerhouse for pickleball in Malaysia,” he told reporters at the PicklePro grand opening match at PicklePro Kuching, Tabuan Laru.
In addition to competitions, Yii is focused on youth development. He has launched free training sessions for young players, fully sponsored by his office, to introduce students to the sport and provide them with coaching.
“The goal is to introduce this sport to students, particularly those aged 18 and below. Currently, most players are 20 and older, but I want to see a greater focus on engaging the younger generation.” – (Yii)
Looking Ahead
With the planned competition and free training sessions, Yii hopes to expand pickleball’s reach in Sarawak and encourage young athletes to take up the sport. His efforts align with the broader goal of making Sarawak the leading pickleball hub in Malaysia and achieving success on the national stage.
News in Brief: Sarawak’s Pickleball Revolution
Sarawak MP Kelvin Yii is pushing to make the state a pickleball powerhouse. He plans a major pickleball tournament in August and is offering free training for students. Pickleball first came to Malaysia through Sarawak, and Yii hopes the state will win its first SUKMA gold medal in the sport.
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