BPIT 2026 Strengthens Sarawak As International Sports Event Destination
KUCHING: The growth of pickleball has the potential to generate economic spillovers to the tourism and local business sectors, besides strengthening Sarawak's position as a destination for regional and international sporting events.
Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki said that the organisation of the Borneo Pickleball International Tournament (BPIT) 2026 did not just serve as a platform for competition, but also brought wider benefits to Kuching and Sarawak through the presence of local and international players and visitors.
"The growth of pickleball, therefore, creates opportunities for the tourism sector and local businesses, in addition to strengthening Sarawak's position as a destination for regional and international sporting events," he said.
He said this when officiating BPIT 2026 at PIKABOL Malaysia here, on Thursday.
He said the players and visitors who attended the event also contributed to local economic activities through hotel stays, visits to restaurants, use of local services and the experience of enjoying the culture and hospitality of Sarawak.
According to Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar, pickleball, which is still new in Malaysia and Sarawak, has grown rapidly in recent years, with the sport first being introduced in Miri in 2019 before expanding to the rest of the nation.
He further explained that the Sarawak Pickleball Association currently has more than 850 registered members, with pickleball activities having expanded to nine divisions throughout Sarawak.
BPIT 2026 also reflects the development of the sports community when it attracted approximately 570 players, 23 teams and 147 pairs, with participation not only from Sarawak, but Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Brunei as well as players from Indonesia and Australia.
He said the development proves pickleball can serve as a platform that brings together players of various ages and across borders.
The organisation of BPIT 2026 opens a wider space for Sarawak to attract regional and international sports events, in addition to expanding the sports community network as well as economic opportunities related to tourism and local services.
BPIT 2026 will take place from 7 to 12 October 2026 at PIKABOL Malaysia, Kuching, with the support of the Sarawak Ministry for Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts (MTCP) and the Sarawak Ministry for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED).
The tournament also received the support of sponsors and partners from various sectors in an effort to strengthen the organisation of pickleball in Sarawak as well as the development of the sports community. -UKASnews
