Photos: Datin Elaine Fong Yee Ling (imageO.jpeg)
From Mary Chin
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will host a large-scale Borneo International Pickleball Open 2026 with more than RM30,000 in cash prizes, trophies and goodies from October 16 to 18.
Organising Chairperson Datin Elaine Fong Yee Ling said the tournament is being organised by Borneo Kelab Rekreasi Pickleball and sanctioned by the Sabah Pickleball Association with The Good Club as the official venue partner. The event is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment and Explore Sabah.
The opening ceremony will be held at 10am on October 16 at The Good Club, TL1019, Jalan Mat Salleh, Tanjung Aru.
Fong said there will be three divisions of participation, namely Open Mixed Doubles (Champion RM5,000, Runner-up RM2,500 & Third Place RM1,200); Intermediate Men’s Doubles (Champion RM2,800, Runner-up RM1,400 & Third Place RM700); Women’s Doubles (Champion RM2,800, Runner-up RM1,400 & Third Place RM700); and Mixed Doubles (Champion RM2,800, Runner-up RM1,400 & Third Place RM700). Novice Men’s Doubles (Champion RM1,200, Runner-up RM600 & Third Place RM300); Women’s Doubles (Champion RM1,200, Runner-up RM600 & Third Place RM300); Mixed Doubles (Champion RM1,200, Runner-up RM600 & Third Place RM300).
The Organising Chairperson said all winners will each receive a unique trophy featuring Borneo’s proboscis monkey to reflect Sabah’s iconic wildlife, adding that supportive members of the local community have contributed to the colouring process of the trophy.
“We are killing two birds with one stone. With the help of international competitions like the Borneo International Pickleball Open 2026, we are not only promoting healthy sports development but also boosting Sabah’s tourism growth by getting first-time visitors from other parts of the world to set foot in the state,” Fong said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to her, a total of 536 players from different countries and regions, including Japan, the United States, Singapore, Vietnam, China and Negara Brunei, are expected to join the fray.
On why the organisers are inviting 26 selected influencers/sports and entertainment personalities from Hong Kong, China and Taiwan to participate in the tournament, Fong explained that the aim is to expose Sabah to the rest of the world “so that through their sharing, more international audiences will get to know about this Land Below The Wind, which is rated as not only an ideal tourist destination but also a place suitable for international sports events.”
Among the celebrities will be Protech Ambassadors Perry Kuan and Chan Peng Soon, Hong Kong actor and sports and lifestyle personality Hugo Wong, Hong Kong Sports Creator Samantha Wong, and Miss International Macau 2016 Sulin Ip.
Malaysians in Sabah interested in taking part in the tournament may call Christy Keoh Wen Jing at 016-8304710.
