Credits to: Daily Express
KOTA KINABALU — The KTI Sabah Pickleball Open 2025 burst onto the scene over the weekend at Infinity Sports Arena 2.0 in Inanam, assembling 202 teams, 404 participants, and roughly 100 spectators. As a first-time event, the turnout marked a clear milestone for pickleball in Sabah. As a first-time event, the turnout marked a clear milestone for pickleball in Sabah and added momentum to the fast-growing wave of pickleball in Asia.
Players made the trip from Sabah, Labuan, Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur, Brunei, and Singapore, turning the courts into a cross-border showcase. From brisk early rounds to tight finals, the action reflected a sport rising fast across the region.
“The company has been actively supporting community activities and believes that sports like pickleball play an important role in promoting healthy lifestyles and bringing people together,” said Wilson Loke, KTI Group executive director.
KTI Group served as the event’s main sponsor.
Division Winners
- Novice Men’s Doubles: Junaidi Jaafar and Juneiki
- Novice Women’s Doubles: Aisyah and Syakilla
- Novice Mixed Doubles: Zhengyong and Sissy Yun
- Intermediate Men’s Doubles: Andi Manno and Juneiki
- Intermediate Women’s Doubles: DG Siti Rahayu and Jessica Kheng
- Intermediate Mixed Doubles: Winnie Han and Ken Lim
- Intermediate Mixed Doubles 35+: Zuk Pang and SSS
- Open Men’s Doubles: Shan D. and Stefan Walter Sundang Alex
- Open Women’s Doubles: Joanne Chong and Janice Chong
- Open Mixed Doubles: Nabil and Jessica Kheng
- Open Singles: Stefan Walter Sundang Alex
A standout of the weekend, Stefan Walter Sundang Alex—recognized as Sabah’s No. 1 tennis player—added pickleball silverware with victories in Open Men’s Doubles and Open Singles.
The scale of participation for a debut event, the mix of divisions from novice to open, and the draw of teams from six different locales underscored the sport’s momentum in and around Borneo. With its successful first edition, the KTI Sabah Pickleball Open has laid solid groundwork for future tournaments and joins the expanding calendar of pickleball Asia, strengthening regional ties through sport.
