Singapore's Ryan Ng is about to embark on a special journey.

After completing his National Service on Saturday, the 21-year-old pickleball athlete will shortly thereafter travel to the US to participate in the inaugural UPA Asia Trailblazers Program alongside 11 other athletes hailing from China, Taiwan, Macau, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan as well.

Participants are currently enjoying a three-month immersion program at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, AZ, receiving mentorship from American pros and expert coaches and media training to develop their personal brands. 

Exclusive opportunities to compete in PPA Tour and MLP events are also an integral part of the UPA initiative, which was created to elevate pickleball talent across Asia and establish the region as a growing force in the global pickleball landscape.

"I never really thought about going pro in pickleball, but it is definitely a dream come true," said Ng, in a story published by writer Melvyn Teoh in The Straits Times on May 2. "And I’m excited to play pickleball at that high level. It definitely also means committing to the sport in every way, and hopefully it’s just the start of something bigger."

Following their stay in Arizona, Ng and his colleagues will receive two-year UPA Asia contracts to compete in PPA Tour Asia and MLP Asia events starting later this year.

The former tennis player, who took up pickleball just three years ago, is looking forward to learning as much as possible in the coming weeks.

"It’s a great honor to be the only Singaporean selected for the program. And to me, it is a source of pride to represent my country on the international level," shared Ng. "But I think it also comes with a sense of responsibility. When I’m there in the US playing and competing, I’m not just playing for myself, but also for my country.”

Ng is scheduled to participate in the PPA Tour's Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships later this month at Life Time Peachtree Corners.

Talk about starting his trip with a bang.

“Pickleball is my new-found love and I will make the most out of this program and strive to be the best that I can,” said Ng. "I think I just have to take it one step at a time. While I’m there, I’d have to focus on sharpening my game. Consistency has kind of been an issue because I haven’t been able to play as much as I would like. I’m definitely going to be playing a lot, like six days a week."