"DAMN! I can't partner with you, Hazel!" I exclaim, frustration rising in my voice as I rush to show her the message on my phone. My regular partner — and fellow KL Patriots teammate — looks at me in bewilderment, trying hard to decipher my sudden outburst.
"See, what it says!" I point to the WhatsApp message on my screen, which I'd hitherto been scrutinising during a break in a pickleball tournament that we're both participating in.
"The partner has to be from a different race," I explain. Brows furrowing in confusion, Hazel peers at the phone, before finally looking up at me, her head slowly bobbing in comprehension.
Before she can respond, I spot another team member approaching, one hand clasping a banana, and the other throwing a jaunty wave in our direction.
"Daphneeeeeee!" I holler, before breaking into a chuckle at her alarmed expression.
I leave Hazel's side and rush towards Daphne Lau, who's also an international table tennis umpire, eager to share my latest pickleball dilemma.
"See this," I say, launching into an explanation of the message. My bespectacled friend listens intently and then, with a grin wider than ever, responds: "Ya, ya, I know! Come la, you be my partner!"
And just like that, Daphne and I found ourselves signing up for Malaysia's first-ever Unity Pickleball Tournament, an event that promised to be more than just a competition. It's a celebration of how sport can bring people together, connecting us through the game we love and showcasing the incredible power of unity that lies within every rally.
UNITED IN SPORT
Fast forward to the day of the tournament, and I'm excitedly stepping into the spacious complex of 91 Pickleball Club House in Subang Jaya. The atmosphere is already buzzing with the energy of eager players, volunteers, and spectators.
A festive feel permeates. Christmas decorations adorn every corner of the courts — vibrant wreaths with bold red bows, shimmering tinsels that catch the light with every flicker, and colourful pickleball balls hanging from the many Christmas trees, blending seamlessly with classic holiday touches like bells and holly.
Although the venue is still bathed in semi-darkness, the energy from the players is unmistakable. Some are already on the courts, enthusiastically warming up and perfecting their strokes, while others engage in animated conversations on the side, no doubt mentally gearing up for the thrilling competition that lies ahead.
I cast a quick glance at my watch. Forty minutes until the start of the tournament. The excitement is contagious, but what truly strikes me about this event is the deep sense of purpose that underpins it. This isn't just any pickleball tournament. It's a movement; one that seeks to bring the country's diverse races together through sport.
As I take in my surroundings, my eyes scour for the lanky figure of Shergar Reza Dina Rizal, the chairman of SportsUnite Sports Club and the driving force behind this one-of-a-kind tournament, which has managed to draw an impressive crowd of nearly 120 participants coming to compete for glory in three exciting categories: men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles.
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY
"The inspiration for this tournament stems from the values and mission of our club, SportsUnite Sports Club, which we formed some time ago," explains Shergar when I finally catch up with him.
Adding, he says: "We're a registered NGO under the Sports Commissioner, and as the name suggests, we're deeply committed to promoting the joy of sport and fostering unity by bringing together participants from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds in all our team events."
The KL-ite's passionate words resonate with me as I take in the diverse crowd around me. The concept appears to be simple enough: each pair of participants must comprise two people from different races. It's a rule designed to reinforce the message of unity.
"At SportsUnite, we're passionate sport enthusiasts," continues Shergar, before enthusing: "We grew up playing sport with friends from different races. These experiences created lasting memories and showed us that sport has a unique power to transcend all barriers — whether racial, cultural, socioeconomic, religious or even political."
Continuing, he points out: "We're also fortunate to have the guidance and support of Datuk Dina Rizal, who's a strong advocate of the concept of unity through sport. As an adviser to SportsUnite, Dina believes in the transformative power of sport to bring people together. His leadership continues to inspire our initiatives."
UNITING ONE AT A TIME
The tournament finally kicks off, and the various teams take their positions, ready to demonstrate not only their skills but also their commitment to unity. Eyes shining, Shergar reflects on the tremendous response.
"It's been really overwhelming," he exclaims happily, adding: "Initially, we planned for 16 pairs, but due to popular demand, we increased it to 20 pairs per category. The event was fully booked within just two days, and we even received requests to extend the number of teams. It's clear that people really resonate with the message that we're trying to promote."
The positive energy is palpable. Throughout the day, in between my own games with partner Daphne, I witness heartwarming moments of camaraderie and connection, as players cheer for not only their partners, but also competitors.
Shergar points out that the core message of the tournament is never about who wins or loses — it's about fostering collaboration and respect between our diverse communities.
"We wanted the competition to remain fair and inclusive. We intentionally kept the event's spirit light by ensuring that we didn't invite the very top players. This allowed everyone to enjoy the game, connect with one another, and focus on the bigger picture — unity through sport," elaborates the affable pickleballer.
The collaboration goes beyond just the players. Shergar credits the success of the event to the dedication of volunteers and strong support from the community.
"We had a fantastic team of volunteers who truly shared our vision," he shares, elaborating: "Our partners, like Lam Soon, Antabax and Wowlly, provided essential funding and prizes, allowing us to bring this event to life."
He continues to emphasise the ongoing need to nurture the culture of sport in Malaysia. "We must work harder to rekindle the sporting culture, especially at the grassroots level. We want to inspire the next generation of Malaysians to embrace sport as a way to build stronger, more inclusive communities. This is where we all come in — government, civil society, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and corporate sponsors. Together, we can make sports a powerful force for unity."
SPIRIT OF MALAYSIA
As the tournament draws to a close with the final matches in the mixed doubles category, it's clear that this event has been so much more than just a day of pickleball — a sport that has captured hearts worldwide, and in this country, has become a symbol of shared passion. This tournament stands as a testament to what Malaysia truly represents: a vibrant tapestry of races, cultures and traditions, all coming together, united by the unifying force of sport.
"There were no winners, no losers," says Shergar, as the day winds down, his voice calm and thoughtful. "Everyone who participated was a winner, because they felt the joy of sport and the power of unity."
As I reflect on those words, taking a moment of quiet by the sidelines, Shergar's message echoes in my ears: sports are life's greatest teachers. "They teach teamwork, respect, discipline, sportsmanship and leadership," he'd said, adding: "But most importantly, they bring us together." His parting words resonate deeply, a reminder that, at its core, this tournament has been about more than just the game. It's about a shared experience that transcends all boundaries.
Looking ahead, the future of the Unity Pickleball Tourney is bright. "Next year, we're aiming to make it even bigger," shares Shergar, his smile full of hope. "We're already planning for 2025, and with the support of our community and sponsors, we know we can build on this momentum."
As I pack up my gear at the end of the day, slipping my well-worn paddle into its trusted cover, I can't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for having been part of something truly special — an event that captures the very essence of Malaysia.
In this country, where unity is not just a hope, but a living, breathing reality, I'm reminded that together, we ARE unstoppable.