KUCHING: PIKABOL Rali Bersama Komuniti is set to strengthen sports and community tourism in Sarawak by attracting people not only to visit, but also to participate, engage, and build connections through pickleball.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, said tourism today is increasingly centred on experiences and people rather than destinations alone, making community-based sporting programmes an important avenue for growth.
“From the Ministry’s perspective, initiatives like this are strongly aligned with our vision. Tourism today is about experiences and people — not just places.
“I am particularly encouraged by three key areas, namely accessibility — making the sport open and affordable for all; youth development — introducing pickleball at the grassroots level; and collaboration — bringing together government, corporates, clubs, and communities,” he said.
He said this in his speech during the launch of the PIKABOL Rali Bersama Komuniti campaign at PIKABOL Malaysia, Jalan Pending, here today (Apr 26).
He congratulated PIKABOL Malaysia for the initiative, describing it as more than a sports campaign, but the beginning of a wider community movement.
“What we see today is not just the launch of a sports campaign — it is the start of a community movement. Pickleball is simple, inclusive, and accessible, and that is exactly why it has the power to bring people together,” he said.
Snowdan also highlighted the sport’s rapid growth since 2024, when PIKABOL was launched as Malaysia’s first and largest purpose-built indoor pickleball arena, noting that participation has increased steadily, more players have emerged, and new pickleball facilities are now opening nationwide.
“This is how a sport grows — it starts with pioneers. I would like to applaud PIKABOL Malaysia for being one of the pioneers in developing the pickleball sector, not only in Sarawak, but in Malaysia,” he added.
The PIKABOL Rali Bersama Komuniti campaign will run from April to December 2026, focusing on inclusivity, grassroots development, and sustained community participation.
Through the campaign, PIKABOL Malaysia is introducing a series of community access programmes designed for different segments of society, including non-peak community rates from Monday to Friday, between 8 am and 5 pm, where participants who purchase two hours will receive one complimentary hour.
The rates are set at RM25 per hour for the public and RM20 per hour for veterans and registered coaches.
The initiative also includes a complimentary school programme, offering government primary schools free court access together with paddles and balls to encourage early youth participation in the sport.
In addition, government and corporate packages are being introduced, featuring preferential rates and structured access to support employee wellness, engagement, and team-building activities.
For court bookings, the public may contact the PIKABOL Malaysia crew at 012-416 2044.
