KUCHING: The MATTA Malaysia Pickleball Grand Slam 2025 (MPG2025), launched this week, drew more than 800 players from Malaysia and 10 countries, reflecting a major boost to Sarawak’s growing sports tourism sector.
Organised by the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), the inaugural event runs from October 13 to 19 at Pikabol, Jalan Pending, marking the association’s first foray into sports tourism.
Participants hail from across the region and beyond, including Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, India, Vietnam and the United States.
MATTA’s President, Nigel Wong, said the Grand Slam represents more than just a sporting event; it is a celebration of connection, unity, and Malaysia’s potential as a premier sports tourism destination.
“One of the reasons we wanted to do this is because we believe Malaysia is the next major destination for sports tourism, especially in the ASEAN region.
“We also see the need to cultivate a sporting culture among the younger generation.
“With a young sporting base, we know sports in Malaysia will grow. And with the facilities available, we believe Malaysia will be able to add sports tourism as one of its major product offerings in the future,” he said during the Team Draw Briefing Session today at Meritin Hotel.
Wong added that the total prize purse for the tournament stands at RM114,000, underscoring MATTA’s commitment to elevating pickleball as a competitive and inclusive sport.
He said Sarawak was chosen for its strong pickleball community and growing reputation as a tourism destination.
“We believe many of Malaysia’s pickleball associations originated from Sarawak.
“There’s a huge pool of passionate players here, and the level of engagement we’ve had with the associations was one of the key reasons we brought the event to Kuching,” he said.
Wong said that with over 811 players, the response has surpassed expectations, adding that the organisers are very happy with the turnout.
With over 2,400 players, families and supporters expected, the championship is set to create a vibrant atmosphere at Pikabol and nearby areas.
Wong also expressed gratitude to the event’s partners and sponsors, including the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) as well as the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED), for their strong support.
