KUCHING: The third PTBS Invitational Tennis Classic (PITC) 2026 is set to attract about 200 athletes from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, underscoring Sarawak’s growing appeal as a regional sports destination.
Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the four-day tournament, organised by the Persatuan Tenis Bumiputera Sarawak (PTBS), will be held from August 6 to 9 at the PTBS Tennis Court and the Sarawak Golf Club tennis courts.
He said the tournament continues to honour the legacy of the late Tan Sri Datuk Amar Bujang Mohd Nor, whose leadership helped lay the foundation for tennis development in Sarawak.
“As one of Sarawak’s established tennis tournaments, the PTBS Invitational Tennis Classic reflects PTBS’ longstanding dedication to promoting tennis and building a strong sporting community.
“It is more than just a competition. The tournament provides a meaningful platform for experienced players to continue competing while inspiring the younger generation through sportsmanship, discipline and lifelong passion for the game,” he told a press conference at Baitulmakmur II here today.
Abdul Karim commended PTBS for its commitment to developing tennis since its establishment in 1978 through talent development, competitive opportunities, and grassroots programmes across the state.
He said the state government, through both ministries under his charge, remains committed to supporting sporting associations in organising local, regional and international events.
“Any association related to sports, if they want to organise anything internationally, regionally or within the state, we are prepared to listen and give our support,” he said.
According to him, this year’s tournament will feature 14 teams from Sarawak, Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia, with international players from Singapore, Japan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom also taking part.
The tournament will be contested in four doubles categories comprising men’s doubles for players aged 30 to 44, men’s doubles for ages 45 to 55, men’s doubles for players aged 56 and above, and mixed doubles.
Teams will compete for a total prize pool of RM17,000, with the overall team champion receiving RM6,000.
Abdul Karim said the strong participation from divisions including Samarahan, Sibu, Mukah and Bintulu reflects the growing depth of tennis talent in Sarawak and the success of grassroots development efforts.
He added that tournaments such as the PTBS Invitational Tennis Classic provide an important platform to identify talent, encourage lifelong participation in sport, and strengthen regional friendships.
“We would love to see tennis grow stronger in Sarawak, and only through tournaments like this will we see greater participation and more enthusiasts coming to compete and measure their standards against other players,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to PTBS, sponsors, volunteers, officials and partners for making the tournament possible, while encouraging athletes to compete with passion and uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship.
