Kota Kinabalu: The KTI Sabah Pickleball Open 2025 took place over the weekend at the Infinity Sports Arena 2.0 in Inanam, and ended with great success, drawing players and supporters from near and far.
The inaugural tournament brought together a remarkable field of 202 teams with 404 participants and an estimated 100 spectators, marking a milestone for pickleball in Sabah.
Players travelled from Sabah, Labuan, Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur, Brunei and Singapore to take part, making the event a showcase of regional sporting talent.
From fast-paced rallies to hard-fought finals, the competition highlighted the growing popularity of pickleball across the countries.
Champions emerged in every division, with standout winners including Junaidi Jaafar and Juneiki (Novice Men’s Doubles), Aisyah and Syakilla (Novice Women’s Doubles), Zhengyong and Sissy Yun (Novice Mixed Doubles), Andi Manno and Juneiki (Intermediate Men’s Doubles), DG Siti Rahayu and Jessica Kheng (Intermediate Women’s Doubles), Winnie Han and Ken Lim (Intermediate Mixed Doubles), Zuk Pang and SSS (Intermediate Mixed Doubles 35+), Shan D. and Stefan Walter Sundang Alex (Open Men’s Doubles), Joanne Chong and Janice Chong (Open Women’s Doubles), Nabil and Jessica Kheng (Open Mixed Doubles) and Stefan Walter Sundang Alex (Open Singles).
Notably, Stefan Walter Sundang Alex, recognised as Sabah’s No. 1 tennis player, also excelling in pickleball, secured titles in both the Open Men’s Doubles and Open Singles categories.
The event was made possible through the strong support of KTI Group, the main sponsor. “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 of KTI Group Executive Director.
With its successful debut, the KTI Sabah Pickleball Open has set a strong foundation for future tournaments and is poised to become a key fixture in the regional sporting calendar.
