KUCHING: Sarawak is targeting a more structured development of pickleball through the organisation of training clinics involving international professional players.
Political Secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, said sports clinics such as the Pro Pickleball Clinic by Kuldip Mahajan could serve as an important catalyst in strengthening the development of the sport in the state.
“As such, clinics conducted with international professional players can help enhance the technical skills of local players.
“They also play a role in setting new benchmarks in line with global standards,” he said when met by reporters after officiating the Pro Pickleball Clinic by Kuldip Mahajan here on Wednesday night (Feb 5).
Fazzrudin noted that although pickleball is gaining popularity among youths and the general public in Sarawak, its development must go beyond being a recreational activity.
“The question is whether we want it to remain just a hobby or produce players of international calibre. Of course, our target is to produce international-level pickleball players,” he said.
He stressed that achieving this goal requires strategies and the involvement of all stakeholders, including the government, sports associations and infrastructure owners.
“To reach this objective, proper planning is needed through programmes and initiatives by infrastructure managers who organise training programmes and pickleball clinics for youths as an initial step to raise playing standards.
“It is impossible to learn today and compete at world level tomorrow, but we have to start somewhere,” he added.
Fazzrudin also said the Sarawak Government has long-term plans for the development of pickleball and that a comprehensive ecosystem can be created involving the government, sports associations and the community.
“Strategic cooperation between the government, private sector, non-governmental organisations and sports associations has the potential to form a strong and competitive pickleball ecosystem in the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, Persatuan Amal Sahabat Sego Kuching’s President, Nazrul Hayat Ahmad, said the encouraging response to the clinic reflected the growing interest in pickleball among the local community.
“The response has been very good. All slots from Feb 4 to 7 are fully booked for both morning and night sessions. Although this is the first time it is organised, the turnout has been very encouraging,” he said.
Nazrul expressed hope for continued support from local players and relevant parties for similar programmes in the future.
“For future editions, we hope to bring in athletes of the same calibre as Kuldip Mahajan, possibly Quang Duong or his younger brother.
“This is because we plan to focus on junior development programmes involving children aged under 16 and under 14, in line with the rapid growth of junior-level pickleball,” he said.
The Pro Pickleball Clinic by Kuldip Mahajan, organised by Persatuan Amal Sahabat Sego Kuching, is being held over four days from Feb 4 to 7 at Arena Pickleball MUSC, Petra Jaya, with 100 participants.
