Inaugural OCBC-Great Eastern Pickleball Open in October expected to draw 1,600 players
There will be 24 workshops for beginners to hone their skills in the lead-up to the tournament
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[SINGAPORE] The first edition of the OCBC-Great Eastern Pickleball Open will take place this October at the OCBC Arena in The Kallang, with nearly 1,600 players set to compete across the tournament’s three days.
In a news release on Monday (Apr 6), OCBC described the Oct 23-25 event as “one of the largest” pickleball tournaments in South-east Asia.
The original venue was the larger National Stadium, but the bank said the air-conditioned OCBC Arena was eventually chosen as it is cooler and will provide a better experience for the players.
There will be two public categories – Novice and Open – to cater to both recreational and competitive players. All matches will be contested in the doubles format, and teams can comprise any gender combination – two males, two females, or a mixed pair.
The Novice category is meant for those with fewer than 24 months of playing experience and who have not medalled in any local or overseas pickleball tournament.
The Open category is for more experienced players with over 24 months of experience and have previously won medals in tournaments.
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OCBC’s private banking subsidiary, the Bank of Singapore, will also host two corporate categories – a corporate challenge open to the public, and an exclusive, invite-only championship.
Over the next few months, The Kallang Group will organise 24 workshops for beginners who want to learn how to play pickleball. These sessions will be held at the new courts along the Great Eastern Promenade at the National Stadium that were opened in January this year.
Each two-hour session can accommodate up to 36 players and comprises three segments that will be led by certified coaches.
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OCBC’s head of group brand and communications Koh Ching Ching said the “strong partnership” with The Kallang helped to make this almost year-long pickleball programme a reality, starting with the introductory workshops and culminating in one of the largest tournaments in the region.
“This gives the growing community of pickleball enthusiasts many opportunities to learn the sport, hone their dinks, play longer rallies and smash it out competitively a supportive environment. We welcome players of all ages to grab a paddle and take to the courts at The Kallang in the months ahead,” she said.
Registration for the Pickleball Open will begin on July 27, with more details to be shared on the official website closer to that date. Registration for the workshops is from Monday afternoon now open and the public can sign up at The Kallang’s website from Monday afternoon.
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