The Shine Bright SME Pickleball Tournament 2026 will take place in Shah Alam on October 11, bringing women entrepreneurs, young business leaders and the wider SME community together through sport, networking and healthy living.
Key Takeaways from Shine Bright 2.0:
- Event Date and Location: Shine Bright SME Pickleball Tournament 2026 takes place on October 11 in Shah Alam.
- First-Time Collaboration: The Women Entrepreneurs Bureau and Young Entrepreneurs Bureau are jointly organising the event for the first time.
- Three Doubles Categories: Around 200 participants are expected across Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles.
- Building on Past Success: The tournament follows Shine Bright 1.0, a 5km fun run at KL Tower that attracted more than 3,000 participants.
Shine Bright 2.0 Brings Entrepreneurs Together Through Pickleball
Organised by the SME Association of Malaysia, Shine Bright 2.0 aims to create opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect outside traditional business settings while promoting healthier lifestyles.
The event follows the success of Shine Bright 1.0, which featured a 5km fun run at KL Tower and drew more than 3,000 participants last year. This time, pickleball will serve as the platform for bringing business owners, families and teams together.
According to Datuk Miccele Siow, national vice-president of the Women Entrepreneurs Bureau, the initiative is designed to encourage collaboration between women and young entrepreneurs while promoting the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle alongside business growth.
She said the partnership would bring together experienced entrepreneurs and fresh perspectives, creating more opportunities for networking, collaboration and community building.
Women and Young Entrepreneurs Join Forces
The 2026 edition marks the first time the Women Entrepreneurs Bureau and Young Entrepreneurs Bureau have jointly organised Shine Bright. The collaboration reflects a shared goal of strengthening relationships across generations of entrepreneurs and creating more opportunities for the SME community to exchange ideas.
Teh Gaik Cheong, a national council member of the Young Entrepreneurs Bureau, said pickleball offers a fitting reminder of the importance of teamwork and collaboration in business. He also encouraged entrepreneurs to stay open to new trends, maintain a youthful mindset and prioritise their health, adding that Shine Bright aims to build stronger friendships and business connections within the SME community.
Three Pickleball Categories Expected to Attract 200 Participants
The Shine Bright SME Pickleball Tournament 2026 will feature three competition categories:
- Men’s Doubles
- Women’s Doubles
- Mixed Doubles
Around 200 participants are expected to take part in the tournament in Shah Alam on October 11, combining friendly competition with opportunities to connect with fellow entrepreneurs. Beyond the matches, the event is intended to encourage participants to build relationships in a more relaxed setting, using a shared sporting experience to bring people together.
SME Association Aims to Strengthen the Business Community
Dr Chin Chee Seong, national president of the SME Association of Malaysia, described Shine Bright as part of the association’s broader effort to strengthen the SME ecosystem. He emphasised that the tournament is about more than sport, highlighting its role in encouraging active living, meaningful relationships and connections that extend beyond business.
By bringing women and young entrepreneurs together, the association hopes to foster a stronger sense of community while creating opportunities for future collaboration.
With Shine Bright 2.0 scheduled for October 11 in Shah Alam, the tournament combines two important elements of entrepreneurship: building a strong professional network and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It also continues the initiative’s wider aim of bringing Malaysia’s SME community closer together through shared activities.
