Saudi Arabia Pickleball Tournament Concludes Successfully in Sport’s Biggest Showcase Yet in The Kingdom

Pickleball in Saudi Arabia just had its biggest weekend yet, and a few players made it their own.

The Saudi Pickleball Tournament, billed by Saudi Pickleball as the largest in The Kingdom, ran from 15 to 17 October at Tennis Home Academy in Riyadh, drawing nearly 100 male and female players. The event covered five categories, with cash and in-kind prizes worth more than 5,000 SAR on offer, plus medals for the top finishers.

Musab Almusalam Sweeps Two Titles

The headline performer was Musab Almusalam, who won the Men’s Singles title and also took the Men’s Doubles crown alongside Bassam Alnemari. Ahmed Alnemari finished second in singles, with Ibrahim Ballout third.

In Men’s Doubles, Mohammed Sawaha and Marion Joseph took silver, while Josemari Limpot and Ariel Lagmay earned bronze.

Lana Shaiba Wins Women’s Singles

Lana Shaiba took the women’s singles title, ahead of Allah Mae Damay in second and Alya Altuwaijri in third. Shaiba also added a bronze in mixed doubles, partnering Mahdi Alnamnakani.

In Women’s Doubles, Melizza and Zahara won gold. Johainie Panandigan and Ronnie Rose took silver, and Kristine Pamela and Garnet finished third.

Mixed Doubles: Panandigan Strikes Again

Johainie Panandigan was one of the busiest players in the women’s field. After a silver in women’s doubles, she won Mixed Doubles gold with Josemari. Hadil Shaiba and Ahmed Alnemari took silver, and Lana Shaiba and Mahdi Alnamnakani bronze. Alnemari’s silver in mixed, on top of his singles runner-up finish, made it a strong tournament for him too, joining Almusalam and Panandigan as the tournament’s three double-medal winners.

Podium Summary

• Men’s Singles: Musab Almusalam, Ahmed Alnemari, Ibrahim Ballout
• Women’s Singles: Lana Shaiba, Allah Mae Damay, Alya Altuwaijri
• Men’s Doubles: Bassam Alnemari / Musab Almusalam, Mohammed Sawaha / Marion Joseph, Josemari Limpot / Ariel Lagmay
• Women’s Doubles: Melizza / Zahara, Johainie Panandigan / Ronnie Rose, Kristine Pamela / Garnet
• Mixed Doubles: Johainie Panandigan / Josemari, Hadil Shaiba / Ahmed Alnemari, Lana Shaiba / Mahdi Alnamnakani

Indeed, with nearly 100 players, five categories, and a few multi-medallists, the weekend showed that Saudi pickleball already has depth and a real competitive core. The next question is how fast it grows from here.