Kota Kinabalu had extra than simply pickleball on its thoughts final Sunday. At Teluk Likas, 104 gamers throughout 52 groups gathered for the Premier Pickleball Event, a full of life competitors that doubled as a fundraiser for the Finish Polio Now marketing campaign.
It was an occasion the place sport met service. Organised by Premier Pickleball Membership in partnership with the Rotary Membership of Kota Kinabalu Pearl, the event carried a transparent message: neighborhood spirit may be harnessed not solely to win matches but in addition to struggle a illness that also threatens youngsters worldwide.
Sabah’s Minister of Youth Growth, Sports activities Development and Inventive Economic system, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, lent weight to the event, watching the ultimate problem sport earlier than presenting prizes to the winners. His presence underscored the importance of the trigger, reminding everybody that sport is as a lot about solidarity as it’s about competitors.
A Rallying Name Towards Polio
The marketing campaign’s urgency was not misplaced on Rotary Membership president Hanna Ghani, who spoke of collective accountability. “Each little one deserves to develop up wholesome and free from the specter of a preventable illness,” she mentioned, stressing that consciousness and help stay very important in constructing a polio-free world.
Premier Pickleball Membership president Tricia Mojulat echoed the sentiment, proud that pickleball might function a platform for one thing larger than the sport itself. “Our purpose was to boost funds for Finish Polio Now, and we’re actually grateful to everybody who supported us, participated, and helped make this event successful,” she mentioned.
Champions on Courtroom
The competitors itself was spirited, with gamers exhibiting each ability and camaraderie. Within the Males’s Doubles, HH Personal Membership’s Kairil Abdul Rasak and Muhammad Faizul emerged champions, whereas HH Sepanggar’s Suhaimie Samsu and Mamatt completed runners-up. Q2’s Rahman and Khairil secured third place.
Courtroom Crimson Handed’s Courtney Barlow and Ruby Manyi Chan took the Ladies’s Doubles crown, forward of PCC & Mates’ Salmiana (Chun Li) Pontou and Vionna Mecka Joinim. Smash Sisters’ Ellen Chong and Kok Shin Yi rounded off the rostrum.
Within the Combined Doubles, Only for Enjoyable’s Chynthia Tseu and Danson Chu claimed the title, with Sophia Ngu and Nicholas Lin of Vibe until You Doon ending second, and Nice Play’s Jeannie Chin and Ryan taking third.
Extra Than Medals
For Nizam, the day’s actual victory lay past the scoresheet. “Sports activities will not be solely about profitable trophies. They promote wholesome life, teamwork, and neighborhood spirit,” he mentioned, commending the organisers for utilizing pickleball to help a world trigger.
The event could have topped champions, however its true achievement was in uniting a neighborhood round a shared objective. Pickleball offered the rallying level, however the larger win was the collective step in direction of a world freed from polio.
