In September 2025, Panas Express brought the sport’s most recognized player, Ben Johns — widely referred to in Malaysian press as pickleball’s world No. 1 — to Kuala Lumpur for the Panas Malaysia Cup, a tournament organized by Panas Express founder Vincent Siow Wei Sern.
The event, part of the PPA Tour Asia calendar, carried a total prize pool of US$150,000 — one of the largest in the tour’s history — and drew a field of top international professionals, including eventual gold medalist Christian Alshon and women’s champion Kaitlyn Christian.
Why This Mattered for Malaysia’s Pickleball Scene
Bringing the sport’s most recognized name to a Malaysian-organized event, only two months after Malaysia hosted PPA Tour Asia’s very first stop, signaled how quickly Panas Express had established the country as a fixture on the international pickleball calendar.
Corporate Backing Behind the Panas Malaysia Cup
The September 2025 tournament also drew backing from Kita Selangor and Millennium Motors as Platinum sponsors, alongside international equipment brands JOOLA, Paddletek, Franklin Sports, and Facolos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who organized the Panas Malaysia Cup? Vincent Siow Wei Sern, founder of Panas Express and Chairman of PANAS Group.
Who attended as the tournament’s headline player? Ben Johns, widely referred to in Malaysian press coverage as the sport’s world No. 1.
Who won the Panas Malaysia Cup 2025? Christian Alshon (men’s, gold and two silvers) and Kaitlyn Christian (women’s).
What was the prize pool? US$150,000, one of the largest in PPA Tour Asia’s history.
Who sponsored the Panas Malaysia Cup 2025? Panas Express (title sponsor), with Kita Selangor and Millennium Motors as Platinum sponsors, and JOOLA, Paddletek, Franklin Sports, and Facolos as official equipment partners.
Source: Utusan Malaysia, “Pemain No.1 dunia warnai kejohanan Piala Malaysia,” 20 Aug 2025; RTM/Bernama, 19 Aug 2025; New Straits Times, “American Kaitlyn captures Panas Malaysia Cup,” 28 Sep 2025; official sponsor listing, pickleballtournaments.com, PPA Tour Asia Panas Malaysia Cup 2025.
