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KUCHING – Sarawak is on track to becoming Malaysia’s pickleball powerhouse, with Bandar Kuching Member of Parliament Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen leading the charge to expand the sport through major events and youth training initiatives.
Pickleball, a sport that originated in the United States, was first introduced to Malaysia through Miri, making Sarawak the birthplace of the game in the country. Over the past two years, its popularity has grown significantly, and Yii is determined to establish Sarawak as the national hub for pickleball.
Sarawak’s Growing Pickleball Scene
Yii highlighted Sarawak’s unique role in the sport’s history and expressed his pride in its rapid growth.
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“Pickleball holds a special place in Sarawak’s sports heritage, and I am proud to see its development, especially in the past two years,” he said.
He emphasized the inclusivity of the sport, which welcomes players of all ages and backgrounds. He also expressed his ambition for Sarawak to make history by securing the first-ever pickleball gold medal in the upcoming SUKMA (Malaysia Games).
Major Pickleball Competition in Kuching
To further boost the sport’s presence, Yii is organizing a large-scale pickleball competition in Kuching this August. He is currently in discussions with a major organization and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, led by Hannah Yeoh, to finalize the event details.
“I’m in discussions with a large organization to put together the competition, and I am grateful for the support of Hannah. Together, we aim to make Kuching a true powerhouse for pickleball in Malaysia,” Yii stated during the PicklePro grand opening match showdown at PicklePro Kuching, Tabuan Laru.
Free Pickleball Training for Youth
In addition to competitions, Yii is committed to grassroots development by providing free training sessions for young people. These sessions, fully sponsored by his office, will introduce students to the sport and offer basic 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,” he explained.
By making pickleball more accessible to youth, Yii hopes to inspire a new wave of players and elevate Sarawak’s status as Malaysia’s leading pickleball hub.