Kota Kinabalu: An international-standard pickleball facility was officially launched at The Pacific Sutera Hotel today, marking a major step forward in promoting sports tourism and active lifestyles in Sabah.
The court, developed through a collaboration between Sutera Harbour Group and Pickle Collective, was officiated by Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, who praised the new facility and expressed hope that similar developments would be introduced across Kota Kinabalu.
“With the view and setting offered at Sutera Harbour, I believe this is the best pickleball court in Malaysia. This new facility will bring excitement and enjoyment to the community.
I hope DBKK will consider building more such facilities in the city,” he said during the launch.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Sutera Harbour Group, Gerry D’Cruz, in his speech, said the collaboration reflects the resort’s broader vision of positioning Kota Kinabalu as a vibrant lifestyle destination.
“This is more than just a new court. It represents a meaningful partnership that promotes wellness, innovation, and community spirit. At Sutera Harbour, we are always looking to enhance our offerings for both locals and international guests,” he said.
He added that the new facility aligns with Sutera Harbour’s efforts to become one of ASEAN’s leading lifestyle destinations.
“Spanning over 384 acres, Sutera Harbour continues to introduce exciting experiences that benefit both the community and the tourism sector. The addition of Pickle Collective’s courts supports this mission,” he said.
Also present were athletes, influencers and invited guests who witnessed friendly exhibition matches following the ceremony.
Sabah’s very own pickleball and tennis player, Stefan Walter Sundang Alex, 29, said the facility was a much-needed addition to the growing pickleball scene in Sabah.
“Pickleball is still very new in Kota Kinabalu, only introduced about two years ago, but the community has been growing steadily. The court here matches the standards found in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
He added that although the sport initially started as a family activity, it has evolved into a serious competitive sport.
“Pickleball requires training, skills and dedication. There is already an active group of players in Sabah, but we’re still behind compared to Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia where tournaments are held almost every week,” he said.
He expressed hope that the sport would receive greater recognition and support from the Sabah state government moving forward.-pr/BNN
