Pickleball Takes Borneo by Storm: Sarawak Hosts BPIT 2024
The sport of pickleball is taking Borneo by storm, with Sarawak hosting the highly anticipated Borneo Pickleball International Tournament (BPIT 2024). The event, held at PIKABOL, Asia’s largest indoor pickleball arena, attracted over 500 players and 2,000 visitors from across Southeast Asia, showcasing the sport’s growing popularity in the region.
Organized by the Kuching Pickleball Association (KPA), BPIT 2024 brought together participants from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Brunei, highlighting the sport’s appeal across borders. The tournament was a significant milestone for Sarawak, positioning Kuching as a premier international pickleball destination.
The grand launch of BPIT 2024 featured Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak’s Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development, who praised the efforts of the organizers and the groundbreaking venue at PIKABOL. The tournament, coupled with the opening of PIKABOL, has put Kuching on the global map for pickleball events, offering both athletic and tourism growth for the region.
Supported by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), KPA successfully placed Sarawak at the center of the pickleball movement in Southeast Asia. The tournament was endorsed by both the Malaysia Pickleball Association and the Sarawak Pickleball Association, signaling a step forward for sports tourism in Sarawak.
Key sponsors such as the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Sarawak Energy Berhad, Skechers, and Starbucks played a crucial role in the success of BPIT 2024. The tournament chairman, Ruslan Bujang, expressed gratitude to the partners and expressed confidence that Sarawak will continue to attract pickleball players from around the world.
Oscar Choo, Managing Director of PIKABOL, shared his vision for the arena to become Malaysia’s pickleball powerhouse, fostering excellence and inspiring a new generation of pickleball athletes. As the tournament concludes, visitors are encouraged to join the festivities, explore exhibition booths, and contribute to the local community by donating books for rural areas.
With the success of BPIT 2024, Kuching has firmly established itself as a leading destination for pickleball in Asia, setting the stage for future tournaments and growth in the sport.
