Wassat? The name of a new fishball, or food dish? The latest boyband?
None of the above.
Actually, it's the team name for a small group of guys who play a game called pickleball.
Why pickleball. I can only guess.
Maybe because, like a good jar of pickle which is a heady mix of fruit, vegetables and what-have-you, pickleball is a mix of badminton, tennis and table tennis. (See sidebar for more information).
As for coming up with the name 'Unique Pickleball', Alan Liew explained how it came about.
LINKED
The 65-year-old taxi driver said it was formed some seven years ago.
Back then, most other pickleball teams were linked to an organisation. But they decided to be different.
Not wanting to be tied down to anyone else's rules this group decided to call themselves 'Unique' as that was what they were.
The name Unique Pickleball could also be abbreviated to 'UP' - which could mean 'up' as in constantly striving 'upwards' for improvement.
For them though, they didn't see improvement as in winning competitions and getting results.
Indeed, Liew does not encourage his team to participate in pickleball competitions.
'We're not a competitive team,' he said. 'Sure, entering competitions and winning trophies can bring the team recognition.
'But that's not what we want.'
According to Liew, they play the game to keep fit. It's a means to improving their fitness, broadening their lifestyle and it's a great way for them to make new friends.
As Yeong Yoke Kuen, 60, a retiree, explained: 'I use the sport to keep myself healthy.'
Charles Wong, 67, also a retiree, summed it up when he said: 'We come here to perspire and make friends.'
This bonding is one of the reasons why the team has been able to remain together for seven years.
MORE INTERESTING
'I find it much more interesting than other games,' said Yong Kuek Yuen, 70, another retiree in the team.
He also claimed he would never give up playing pickleball.
Liew said there were about nine people when they were originally formed, but now, there are 15.
They started the group because Liew found the sport very interesting, and beneficial to people of his age, because it is not as strenuous as other games.
He also felt that the sport, being quite similar to badminton, was easy to pick up as he and most of his friends had played badminton in their younger days.
Almost everyone who joined the team were complete beginners.
Some, like Loh Yoke Leng, 50, a housewife, picked it up quickly.
Now, Loh is one of the most experienced players among these pickleball warriors.
Chong Kwek Yoong, 72, another retiree, is the oldest in the group.
He retired from his previous job as a Physical Education teacher about 12 years ago. But his burning desire to play sports has always been strong.
'I came to know of the sport when I saw some people playing it one day,' he said.
That's when he decided to join the Unique Pickleball team.
Rain or shine, these Pickleball warriors meet twice a week to play their chosen game.
But not everyone in Unique Pickleball is above 60.
The age range is from 44 to 72, with eight who are over 60.
Call them veteran warriors if you will, but really, they don't feel their age. As Liew quipped: 'We don't think we're old. We're still dynamic!'
Like most of the pickleball warriors, Gina Ong, 44, an accounts executive, feels that pickleball is a 'fun game that is suitable for both the young and old'.
So if you're game enough to try out something which combines the elements of three popular sports, get in touch with Liew and his 'unique' group.
(To get in touch with Unique Pickleball, call Alan Liew at 98265537.)
