By William Isau
SIBU, April 21: If pickleball wishes to be included as an event in Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) and Sukan Sarawak (Suksar), then the sport needs more professional athletes and trainers.
Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng said it would be the responsibility of local associations to recruit more players, trainers, and referees.
“When we can get more players, trainers, and referees, then we can promote this game to the public, especially schools and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“When we have certified referees, we can organise quality tournaments,” he said at the grand opening of the I Play Swan Squad Pickleball Club (IPSS) pickleball courts at the Island Club today.
Chieng said this in response to Malaysia Pickleball Association (MPA) president Farrell Choo Kah Thiam’s wish for the sport to be included in Sukma and Suksar.
Choo said they had already discussed the matter with the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), and the response has been positive.
“In two or three days, we will meet them and see how we can move forward,” he said.
Choo said since its inception in September 2019, the MPA has been on a transformative journey.
“We now have seven state associations, and three more are coming in. We have introduced pickleball to approximately 8,000 individuals ranging from school students to senior citizens, sparking enthusiasm and fostering a new community of players.
“With 2,000 active players and counting nationwide, our reach has also extended to 12 universities and 25 schools, positively impacting around 2,000 students with the joys and benefits of pickleball,” said Choo.
Sarawak Pickleball Association president Delima Ibrahim and I Play Swan Squad Pickleball Club president Dr Wong Chya Wei were also present. — DayakDaily
