The tournament hosted specifically for Negeri Sembilan players, prompting much fairer contest

WHILE the Negeri Sembilan state elections campaign is on its final lap on a top gear, the state pickleball players gathered to compete in the state level closed pickleball tournament with 152 pairs of various age groups competed in the two day tournament.

The tournament on Saturday was for Junior & Educators with 58 pairs competing and on Sunday was open to players above 20-years-old with 94 pairs competing.

The Negeri Sembilan Pickleball Association (NSPA) President Michael Robin Jayesuria said “this is the first time we have introduced a separate category for Juniors & Educators to encourage and promote pickleball to school students and teachers.”

Michael said “the response was very encouraging and hoped more students and teachers to participate in future competitions.”

He added that the tournament was only for Negeri Sembilan players, they should have been born in Negeri Sembilan, currently residing, studying and working legally in the state.

Michael said to ensure fairness and competitiveness NSPA adopted a rigorous Two-stage Format, the competition began with structural Group Stage (Round Robin) ensuring every single pair gets a guaranteed baseline of 3 to 5 matches before progressing.

This allows players ample opportunity to find their rhythm, from there on, only the top-ranking groups advance to the Knockout Rounds (playoffs).

Michael said “NSPA aims to firmly establish this as our annual flagship tournament, we wish to raise the local benchmark in state to produce elite players at the national stage.”

“As for our future plan NSPA will roll out localized coaching clinics and introductory roadshows across schools in the state,” added Michael.

Michael said, by involving teachers in the tournament to compete, the NSPA will also actively train them later to become certified campus instructors, these teachers will return to establish Pickleball clubs in schools in the future.

The champions of the Negeri Sembilan Closed Pickleball Tournament received RM500, the first runner up RM250 and the second runner up RM100 besides the cash prize the players also received medals.

Michael thanked sponsors and Youth and Sports Ministry for their support and Michael also thanked The Pickle Place (court) for the reduced rental for the two day tournament, JOOLA an Dinkit for supplying tournament grade equipments, Nestle for providing Milo drinks, Fraser & Neave for 100 Plus drinks besides financial support.

Also in attendance was the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing and the State Executive Councillor for Tourism, Arts and Culture Nicole Tan who graced the tournament and to give moral support to the participating players.