21/07/2025
We would like to congratulate William and Loke Fu for emerging as champions in WPC Asia Pickleball Grand Slam Malaysia 2025 60+ Men Doubles event. Along the way, they had to overcame partnerships of top ranked ( #1) players from India, Canada, Singapore and Thailand to clinch the title. A monumental achievement indeed.
Both men of quiet demeanour are well liked and respected by the local pickleball community. William is also the president of Perak Pickleball Association. He was also the person responsible for bringing pickleball to Ipoh. Back in 2023, after having tried the sport in the US, he intiated the introduction of the sport locally. He bot communal paddles as well as secured a facility with 2 indoor badminton courts for early adopters of the sport to use for almost a year for free before any dedicated pickleball facility was available.
William and his group of friends also founded the first indoor pickleball courts in Ipoh. This action has led to the exponential growth of the sport and the mushrooming of other dedicated courts in the region. William continues to work together with his team to bring the game beyond Ipoh, growing the sport and its eco-system simultaneously, as well as fostering a community of growing pickleballers in the state.
Both William and Loke Fu have played the game for less than 2 years. Pickleball is easy to pick up as a sport for young and old alike. Given that pickleball have age group categories for tournaments, it is easy for the competitive players to pit themselves against others in their age category. For the non competitive players, there are many social games being organised by different groups. Not only does one gets exercise to boost health, but one also gets the socialisation aspect that is so prevalent in the sport.
William and Loke Fu are indeed inspiration for most of us, both on court and off court. Once again congratulations.
