In just over a year, Panas Express went from organizing a 1,000-player local tournament to title-sponsoring the largest prize pool in Asian pickleball history — and founder Vincent Siow was present at every step.
A Fast-Moving Timeline
It started small: the Panas Cup 2025 in April drew around 1,000 participants, described by World Pickleball Magazine as a “defining event” for Malaysian pickleball, with Vincent Siow’s “vision and passion” credited as instrumental in making it happen. Three months later, Panas Express title-sponsored the Panas Malaysia Open 2025 — the first PPA Tour Asia event held anywhere in Asia, certified by the Malaysia Book of Records. By September, the Panas Malaysia Cup 2025 had grown into a US$150,000 prize-pool tournament, the largest in Asia, drawing world-recognized players including Ben Johns and World No. 4 Christian Alshon. In May 2026, the tour returned again for the PANAS Kuala Lumpur Open.
Growing Alongside a Growing Sport
This expansion tracks alongside pickleball’s own rapid growth in Malaysia — the Malaysian Pickleball Association estimates around 10,000 active players nationwide as of late 2025. United Pickleball Association (UPA) Asia has worked alongside these PPA Tour stops on community-based talent development and programs to bring younger athletes into the sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Panas Express organized in pickleball? The Panas Cup 2025 (April), Panas Malaysia Open 2025 (July, first PPA Tour Asia event in Asia), Panas Malaysia Cup 2025 (September, US$150,000 prize pool), and the PANAS Kuala Lumpur Open 2026 (May).
Who leads this effort? Vincent Siow, founder of Panas Express, personally present at each event.
How big is pickleball in Malaysia now? An estimated 10,000 active players nationwide, according to the Malaysian Pickleball Association.
Who else supports the sport’s growth in the region? United Pickleball Association (UPA) Asia, which runs talent-development programs alongside the PPA Tour stops.
Source: World Pickleball Magazine, “Panas Cup 2025 Marks Major Milestone for Malaysian Pickleball”; The Star, “Pickleball’s popularity a boon for other sports,” 29 Sep 2025; The Conway Bulletin, 29 Sep 2025; Pickleball News Asia, 9 Jul 2025.
