Sibu Emerges as a Rising Pickleball Hub with New Dedicated Arena and Facilities

The rapid rise of pickleball in Sarawak has found a new stronghold in Sibu, as the town moves forward with ambitious infrastructure projects to accommodate the sport’s growing community. Highlighting this expansion is the announcement of a dedicated pickleball arena at Bukit Lima and the recent addition of courts at local institutions. This signals a new era for the sport in the central region.

A New Home at Bukit Lima

The Sibu Pickleball Association (SPA) has confirmed plans to establish a primary base for the sport with the construction of the Bukit Lima Pickleball Arena. Under the leadership of SPA President and Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek, the project has been allocated $RM5.8 million in Rural Transformation Project (RTP) funding for its first phase.

The facility is envisioned as a two-storey complex featuring 8 dedicated pickleball courts. According to Chieng: 

"On infrastructure development, the SPA is actively advancing the Bukit Lima Pickleball Arena project".

Momentum at Catholic High School

The infrastructure boom extends into the education sector, with Catholic High School Sibu emerging as a leader in the youth movement. The school's Alumni Association recently took the initiative to construct three dedicated pickleball courts on the school's premises to support student-athletes.

This investment has already paid dividends. The Catholic High School was crowned the champion of the inaugural 2025 Sibu Division Inter-Secondary School Pickleball Championship. The presence of on-campus facilities is seen as a crucial step in building a pipeline for future talent, a sentiment echoed by Sibu Education officer Ahli Chikba.

"We are working together with teachers and students to make Sibu the champion in the game," Chikba noted during the championship event.

Upcoming Tournament Calendar

Following its recent Annual General Meeting, the SPA has officially greenlit several major competitions for the upcoming season. The second Sibu Division Inter-Secondary School Pickleball Championship is set to take place at the SMI Pickleball Centre from July 4 to 5.

Additionally, with the backing of the Sarawak Pickleball Association, Sibu is slated to host the first-ever Sarawak U18 Inter-Division Pickleball Championship. This provincial-level tournament is tentatively planned for July 25 and 26.