On 5 September 2025, Sibu held the inaugural Sibu Division Inter-School Pickleball Tournament 2025 at the SMI Pickleball Centre. The event, which saw 16 teams from 13 schools competing, was officiated by Bukit Assek assemblyman and Sibu Pickleball Association president, Joseph Chieng Jin Ek.
The Sibu Division Inter-School Pickleball Tournament 2025, according to Malaysian Pickleball Association Acting President, Delima Ibrahim, is very likely the first inter-secondary school pickleball competition in Malaysia.
“Sibu has made history today, and each of you young players is a pioneer of this achievement,” said Delima in his keynote to open the competition.
Chieng, for his part, mentioned how pickleball’s growth in Malaysia has been nothing but remarkable and inspiring, with the sport’s growth in Sibu over the past year particularly impressive in Chieng’s view. This year alone, 11 secondary schools in Sibu officially formed pickleball clubs, as the city goes all-in on grassroots and youth development.
Sibu also hosted a Level 1 Certified Coaches Course on 7 June 2025. Organised by the Sibu Pickleball Association, the coaching course trained 34 participants, including two from Kuching, and four from Sarikei, and further helped grow pickleball in the city.
“These achievements reflect how strongly pickleball is being embraced by schools and our community,” Chieng noted, as he expressed hope that the Sibu Division Inter-School Pickleball Tournament 2025 will further foster the Sibu youth’s enthusiasm for pickleball, while also cultivating important values like sportsmanship, and respect for teammates, opponents, and referees.
Also attending the Sibu Division Inter-School Pickleball Tournament 2025 were Sibu District Education Office deputy officer (Student Development Sector), Kong Chiong Hui, WTK Holdings Berhad representative, Desmond Kang, KTS Trading Sdn Bhd representative, Councillor Kevin Lau, Quantum Evershine Sdn Bhd representative, Aaron Song, Chickilicious Sdn Bhd representative, Zon Hii, and tournament director, Councillor Kiing Teck Ho. Daniel Ing, President of Lanang Pickleball Club, served as the Chief Ref
