KUCHING (March 24): Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan has challenged event organizers to harness the possibility of pickleball as a major component of Sarawak sports tourism. He was glad for the chance to help facilitate drives to market the sport in driving the state as a destination in tourism.
“If you need any services from our ministry, just let us know. We are willing to assist with the promotion and organisation of the pickleball activity. The game is gaining popularity and has good potential,” Snowdan said in his opening address of PicklePro Kuching at Tabuan Laru Family Club yesterday.
Emphasizing the wider potential of sports tourism, Snowdan said that pickleball had the potential to be a key driver in bringing in tourists, helping Sarawak achieve its target of five million visitors this year.
He pointed to the success of the 2023 Borneo International Pickleball tournament in Pending, which attracted around 1,200 players from 16 nations, as proof of the sport’s increasing popularity.
The deputy minister expressed hope that in 2025, larger-sized tournaments would be held to even boost tourism as well as further develop the state’s pickleball.
“I hope organisers will partner with Sarawak Business Events or other platforms to come in and bring in international pickelball events,” he added.
Regarding the newly opened PicklePro Kuching venue, Snowdan praised the quality of the venue, particularly its state-of-the-art matte flooring.
“Compared to the Pending venue, this is a big improvement. The previous venue had cemented floors, whereas this complex has matte floors, which are more ideal for international games. This is an improvement that can drive much more interest in hosting tournaments here,” he said.
The complex consists of eight courts, with ample space for mega-scale international tournaments in Kuching. Snowdan suggested that having more courts in the likes of Pending and Tabuan Laru would be able to facilitate multi-venue tournaments, and there would be greater accessibility for both foreign and local players.
“Having additional courts would enable us to host events in multiple venues, which would be convenient for participants and further solidify Sarawak as a world-class sports tourism destination,” he added.
