Sarawak MP Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen Leads Efforts to Make State Malaysia’s Pickleball Powerhouse
Sarawak MP Drives Efforts to Make State Malaysia’s Pickleball Powerhouse
KUCHING: Pickleball is taking Sarawak by storm, with Bandar Kuching Member of Parliament Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen leading the charge to establish the state as Malaysia’s pickleball powerhouse through various events and youth training initiatives.
Originating in the United States, pickleball made its way to Malaysia through Miri, making Sarawak the birthplace of the sport in the country. In recent years, the sport has gained significant popularity, prompting Yii to push for Sarawak to become a leading hub for pickleball in Malaysia.
“Pickleball has a special place in Sarawak’s sports heritage, and I am thrilled to see its growth, especially in the past two years. This sport is inclusive, welcoming players of all ages and backgrounds, and I believe we have the potential to excel in it,” said Yii.
With the goal of putting Sarawak on the national pickleball map, Yii is working on organizing a major competition in Kuching scheduled for August. Details of the event will be announced soon as Yii collaborates with key partners, including a major organization and the Ministry of Youth and Sports led by Hannah Yeoh.
“I am in talks with a large organization to organize 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 shared during the PicklePro grand opening match showdown at PicklePro Kuching, Tabuan Laru.
In addition to promoting the sport through competitions, Yii is also offering free training sessions for young people in Sarawak. These sessions, fully sponsored by his office, aim to introduce students to pickleball and provide basic coaching to help them develop their skills.
“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 explained.
By providing free training opportunities, Yii hopes to inspire more youth to take up pickleball and potentially compete at a national level. With his dedication and passion for the sport, Sarawak is well on its way to becoming a prominent pickleball destination in Malaysia.
