Competitors in the boardroom, friends on the court. That, in a nutshell, was the idea behind a friendly pickleball match between two of Brunei’s best-known banks—BIBD and Baiduri Bank.
BIBD and Baiduri Bank recently got together for the friendly at PGGMB in Bandar Seri Begawan. The event brought together 32 participants, 16 representatives from each bank, giving employees a chance to connect and build camaraderie through healthy competition.
Beyond the matches themselves, the meet was meant as an informal setting for staff from both institutions to mingle, make new connections and strengthen relationships outside the usual work environment.
Why Pickleball?
The choice of sport was no accident. Pickleball, the report notes, continues to gain popularity for its accessibility, inclusivity and social appeal, which makes it a natural fit for an event that promotes active and healthy lifestyles.
Throughout the event, participants showed enthusiasm, teamwork and good sportsmanship, values that, as the organisers pointed out, are every bit as relevant in the workplace.
Building a Closer Banking Community
For BIBD, the event is part of a broader commitment to employee well-being, meaningful stakeholder engagement and a positive organisational culture. The bank says strong institutions are built not only on professional capabilities and operational excellence but also on the well-being of their people and the quality of their relationships.
Even though the two banks compete in the same landscape, the report says such engagements show how shared experiences can strengthen professional networks and help create a more connected financial services community.
The match ended on a positive note, with participants expressing appreciation for the chance to connect through sport and strengthen friendships across both institutions.
It’s one more example of how pickleball is finding its way into corporate life across Southeast Asia, one friendly match at a time.
