02/06/2026
Pickleball Brunei is 3 years old today!!
A Journey from One Court to Four Districts, and of Community, Service and Gratitude.
3 June 2026 marks a very special milestone — the third anniversary of the public launch of pickleball in Negara Brunei Darussalam.
This anniversary is not only an opportunity to celebrate how far the sport has come, but also to reflect on an extraordinary journey that began with a single court in Lumut and has since grown into a nationwide community spanning all four districts of Brunei Darussalam.
For me, this journey is deeply personal because Pickleball Brunei began with a simple game between my cousin, Hjh Asmawati, and me at LLRC Lumut on 20 May 2023.
On that day, we were introducing ourselves to a sport that was virtually unknown in Brunei. While we were playing, a young man and his female badminton partner from the adjacent court became curious and asked if they could try the game. They enjoyed it immediately.
Looking back, neither of us realised that this brief encounter would become the catalyst for something much bigger.
Inspired by their enthusiasm, I made a decision that day: I would introduce pickleball to the people of Brunei.
That decision led to the first public event, “Pickleball Demonstration & Trial for Beginners”, held at LLRC Lumut on 3 June 2023.
To support this historic occasion, six delegates from the Malaysian Pickleball Association travelled from Miri to Brunei, led by the founder of pickleball in Malaysia, Farrel Choo, helping to make the event a tremendous success.
The event received coverage from Radio Television Brunei and the Borneo Bulletin, introducing pickleball to the wider Bruneian public for the very first time.
During that television interview, I was asked what my aspirations were for pickleball in Brunei.
My answer was simple: to bring pickleball to communities across all four districts and make it accessible to everyone, regardless of age or background.
My vision was built on three key aspirations:
1. Total District Coverage
To establish active pickleball communities across all four districts of Negara Brunei Darussalam.
2. True Grassroots Growth
To build a sport that belonged to the community and was accessible to people from all walks of life.
3. Inclusivity Across Generations
To challenge the misconception that pickleball is only for the young and promote it as a fun, social and competitive activity suitable for children, adults, seniors and families alike.
The Journey Across Brunei.
Belait District:
The birthplace of pickleball in Brunei.
* 20 May 2023 – Pickleball was first played at LLRC Lumut.
* 3 June 2023 – The first public pickleball event was held.
* 17 June 2023 – Pickleball was introduced to its first school, Sekolah Rendah Sungai Tali, Lumut II.
Brunei-Muara District:
On 5 June 2023, pickleball was introduced to three newcomers at the Scouts Sports Centre in Gadong.
On 11 June 2023, the second public event, “Pickleball Demonstration and Try-Outs for Beginners”, was held at the UBD Sports Complex.
Temburong District:
On 12 June 2023, a participant from the UBD event brought pickleball to the sports complex at the PKBN Training Camp in Kampong Batu Apoi, marking the arrival of the sport in Temburong.
Shortly afterwards, on 18 June 2023, Program Khidmat Bakti Negara (PKBN) invited me to conduct pickleball demonstrations and try-outs for more than 80 trainees of Program Jati Diri IBTE Cohort 3.
Tutong District:
The journey reached Tutong when PBDA was invited to participate in the Tutong Youth Festival (DTY 2025) on 16–17 August 2025.
Today, PBDA continues to support youth development initiatives in the district, including advising the JBS Tutong on the conversion of an existing tennis court into pickleball courts.
Building a Multi-Generational Sport,
one of the goals closest to my heart has been proving that pickleball is truly a sport for everyone.
Over the past three years:
* Pickleball has been introduced to four schools and two NGOs (Yaska & Pusat Ehsan) in Brunei-Muara District.
* It has also been introduced to two schools in Belait District.
* Junior pickleball clubs have been launched in both Brunei-Muara and Belait.
* On 15 May 2026, the PBDA Senior Club was officially launched in Belait, creating new opportunities for active ageing through sport.
A Personal Reflection
Of all the places connected to this journey, Lumut will always hold a special place in my heart.
It is where I grew up in my late parents’ home in Kampong Agis-Agis. It is where many of my earliest memories were formed and where I learned the values that have guided me throughout life.
Years later, Lumut became even more significant when I purchased my first home there in September 2014.
When pickleball was first introduced at LLRC Lumut, it felt as though life had come full circle. Bringing a new sport to the community where I was raised carried a meaning far greater than the game itself.
What began on a single court in Lumut has since spread across all four districts of Negara Brunei Darussalam, touching the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds. Yet no matter how far the sport grows, Lumut will forever be remembered as the birthplace of pickleball in Brunei.
Three Years Later
As I reflect on the journey from that first game in Lumut, I can honestly say that the three aspirations I shared during that television interview have been fulfilled.
Pickleball is now present in all four districts of Brunei Darussalam.
It has grown through a genuine grassroots movement.
And it has become a sport enjoyed by children, youth, adults and seniors alike.
Three years ago, pickleball in Brunei consisted of two people hitting a ball across a net in Lumut.
Today, it is a thriving community spanning four districts, multiple generations, schools, NGOs, clubs and countless friendships.
That is a journey worth celebrating.
A Personal Dedication.
As we celebrate three years of pickleball in Brunei, I would like to dedicate this milestone to the three people whose love, guidance and influence shaped the person I am today.
First, to my late eldest sister, Rohani, who was fifteen years older than me and helped raise me from birth. She stood by my side at the very beginning of this journey and cheered me on as I coached my first student, Angie Chen, at Racket On, Kampong Parit, Bandar Seri Begawan, on 25 May 2023.
Sadly, she passed away suddenly on 22 November 2023, just six months after the founding of Pickleball Brunei. Though she is no longer with us, her encouragement, love and belief in me remain part of every step of this journey.
To my late father, Abdullah @ Lawa, who passed away just one week before my eighteenth birthday. From the age of ten, he inspired me to look beyond the horizon, to be curious about the world and to embrace new experiences and cultures. His influence sparked a lifelong passion for travel, learning and discovery that continues to shape my outlook on life.
And to my late mother Hajah Habibah, the foundation of my life. She taught me that no matter what one achieves academically, professionally or personally, humility must always come first. Her wisdom, strength and values have been my compass throughout life, reminding me to remain grounded and grateful.
I would also like to acknowledge my husband, David @ Mohd Daud, whose unwavering support has been a constant source of strength throughout this journey.
He is my anchor the person who provides emotional stability, security and encouragement during both the challenges and successes of life. He keeps me grounded when circumstances become overwhelming, offers calm amidst uncertainty, and creates a safe space where I can let my guard down and simply be myself.
His belief in me gives me the confidence to navigate difficult situations, persevere through setbacks and continue pursuing goals that are important to me. While much of the work behind the growth of pickleball in Brunei is visible to others, the quiet support he provides behind the scenes has been invaluable.
For that, I am deeply grateful.
The story of pickleball in Brunei is not just about a sport. It is also a reflection of the values these four remarkable individuals instilled in me: encouragement, curiosity, perseverance, humility and service to others.
As we celebrate the third anniversary of pickleball in Brunei, I am reminded that every achievement rests on the shoulders of those who believed in us, guided us and loved us.
This milestone is dedicated to the memory of my sister, father, mother, and my husband whose influence continues to shape my journey every day.
Happy 3rd Anniversary, Pickleball Brunei.
From one court in Lumut to a nationwide community — thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey.
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