By KT Leong
The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) of Ipoh held their inaugural pickleball tournament last Saturday. The tournament, which kicked off at 7 am and concluded at approximately 11.30 am, featured both an Open Category of mixed doubles and a 50 & Above category, to ensure that everyone had a chance in the competition.
The tournament received sponsorship from Pickle Addicts Ipoh, who are Ipoh’s first pickleball pro shop. As the sport grows, so are shops like Pickle Addicts Ipoh, which can help players get to the next level. The store is located at B 1-13, Soho Ipoh, Jalan Sultan Iskandar, 30000 Ipoh, Perak.
Officiating the official launch of the YMCA Pickleball Courts and its inaugural tournament was YB Jenny Choy Tsi Jen, who highlighted the courts would bring the community together in building a healthy spirit and promoting wellness. She noted that pickleball was a fast growing game around the world, but that it was a way for the community to connect with one another, away from the screens of the smartphone; through healthy fun, competition, sweat and their hearts.
Making a visit as well were YB Dato’ Ngeh Koo Ham and Mr. Daniel Lim Seng Peng, who were instrumental in helping YMCA Ipoh in gathering the seed money and funds to convert part of their tennis courts into pickleball courts.
In an interview session, YB Dato’ Ngeh Koo Ham stated his appreciation for sports like pickleball, that are helping the younger generation to put aside their phones and engage in real social interaction. Events like this pickleball tournament as organised by YMCA Ipoh, is a way for people to come together in healthy exercise and interact socially, which contributes to social, physical and even emotional health.
YMCA Ipoh also highlighted their appreciation to Dr. Yee Meng Kheong, as the first person to have booked one of their courts. An anesthesiologist, Dr. Yee was initially tentative in starting this new sport, but quickly found himself falling in love with it.
With this official launching, the public can now enjoy pickleball at YMCA of Ipoh’s courts, 24/7. Simply visit courtsite.my and search for “YMCA Ipoh” to book a spot to play at any time, even in the wee hours of the night. All at affordable prices, starting from RM15 per hour per court, and paddles for rental at just RM4. YMCA Ipoh will also be installing shade for the pickleball courts in the coming 2-3 months. Those who would like to contribute to this project may call YMA Ipoh at 05-2540809 for further discussion.
