Pickleball With Purpose: Kota Kinabalu Hosts Premier Tournament in Aid of End Polio Now
Kota Kinabalu had more than just pickleball on its mind last Sunday. At Teluk Likas, 104 players across 52 teams gathered for the Premier Pickleball Tournament, a lively competition that doubled as a fundraiser for the End Polio Now campaign.
It was an event where sport met service. Organised by Premier Pickleball Club in partnership with the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl, the tournament carried a clear message: community spirit can be harnessed not only to win matches but also to fight a disease that still threatens children worldwide.
Sabah’s Minister of Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, lent weight to the occasion, watching the final challenge game before presenting prizes to the winners. His presence underscored the significance of the cause, reminding everyone that sport is as much about solidarity as it is about competition.
A Rallying Call Against Polio
The campaign’s urgency was not lost on Rotary Club president Hanna Ghani, who spoke of collective responsibility. “Every child deserves to grow up healthy and free from the threat of a preventable disease,” she said, stressing that awareness and support remain vital in building a polio-free world.
Premier Pickleball Club president Tricia Mojulat echoed the sentiment, proud that pickleball could serve as a platform for something bigger than the game itself. “Our goal was to raise funds for End Polio Now, and we’re truly grateful to everyone who supported us, participated, and helped make this tournament a success,” she said.
Champions on Court
The competition itself was spirited, with players showing both skill and camaraderie. In the Men’s Doubles, HH Private Club’s Kairil Abdul Rasak and Muhammad Faizul emerged champions, while HH Sepanggar’s Suhaimie Samsu and Mamatt finished runners-up. Q2’s Rahman and Khairil secured third place.
Court Red Handed’s Courtney Barlow and Ruby Manyi Chan took the Women’s Doubles crown, ahead of PCC & Friends’ Salmiana (Chun Li) Pontou and Vionna Mecka Joinim. Smash Sisters’ Ellen Chong and Kok Shin Yi rounded off the podium.
In the Mixed Doubles, Just for Fun’s Chynthia Tseu and Danson Chu claimed the title, with Sophia Ngu and Nicholas Lin of Vibe till You Doon finishing second, and Great Play’s Jeannie Chin and Ryan taking third.
More Than Medals
For Nizam, the day’s real victory lay beyond the scoresheet. “Sports are not only about winning trophies. They promote healthy lifestyles, teamwork, and community spirit,” he said, commending the organisers for using pickleball to support a global cause.
The tournament may have crowned champions, but its true achievement was in uniting a community around a shared purpose. Pickleball provided the rallying point, but the bigger win was the collective step towards a world free of polio.
