Singapore a future host of top-tier pickleball events, says Malaysia's No. 1 player
SINGAPORE – A new chapter in the Republic’s pickleball history will be written in July, when it hosts the US$70,000 (S$90,500) Leapmotor Singapore Open – a Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Asia 500 event.
The July 23-26 tournament at the Sports Arina @ Expo will be Singapore’s highest-tier pickleball event yet.
But Malaysia’s top-ranked player Jimmy Liong believes there will be even more to come, including a competition at the PPA Asia 1000 level, which promises more ranking points and a larger prize pool.
Asked if Singapore could host a PPA Asia 1000 level event in future, the 24-year-old told The Straits Times: “Yes, definitely.
“Asia is definitely growing, and Singapore as well, and they (PPA) are bringing such a big tournament.
“Even though it’s not the biggest, but it’s a PPA stop and it’s a stop where pros play.
“I met a few partners of PPA in Singapore, and I believe it’s going to happen sooner or later. Maybe not in a year, maybe not in two years, but definitely it will happen.”