ONCE a little-known American pastime, pickleball is now sweeping across Malaysia, captivating players of all ages with its fast-paced rallies and straightforward rules. But its surging popularity is also causing friction—particularly among devotees of more established racquet sports like tennis and badminton.
A cross between tennis, table tennis, and badminton, pickleball is played with paddles on a smaller court measuring 6.1 by 13.4 metres. Initially embraced as a fun and accessible activity, it has now evolved into a serious competitive sport with a rapidly expanding following.
Yet the rise of pickleball has not been welcomed by all. Tensions have surfaced over the use of shared sports facilities, with some claiming the game is encroaching on courts traditionally reserved for tennis or badminton. Critics argue that converting or adapting these courts—often with temporary tape markings—disrupts the visual layout and risks causing long-term wear.
“We encountered resistance early on, with some operators rejecting our requests to use their courts due to fears the ball would damage the surface,” Malaysian Pickleball Association (MPA) president Farrel Choo Kah Thiam, who introduced the sport to Miri, Sarawak told Bernama.
“But we were fortunate that others allowed us to play, and we’ve always ensured to remove the tape markings after each session,” he added.
Choo also addressed concerns over the rising cost of court rentals, with some venues reportedly charging up to RM70 per hour.
“When we started in Miri, court rentals were as low as RM27 to RM30 per hour,” he said. “But as demand increases, prices rise, and the operators are responsible for setting these rates. I believe that as more dedicated pickleball facilities are built, the cost will eventually decrease.”
Despite the pushback, Choo remains optimistic about the sport’s future in Malaysia. From just 2,000 active players in March last year, the number has ballooned to over 10,000 by November—a trajectory he believes signals staying power rather than a fleeting trend.
“In the United States, 14 per cent of the population plays pickleball. Our target is to reach 10 per cent of Malaysia’s population within the next decade,” he said.
With that goal in mind, the MPA is ramping up its efforts. Plans are underway to push for pickleball’s inclusion in future editions of the Malaysia Games (SUKMA), and preparations are in full swing for the inaugural Malaysia Open, set to take place in Sarawak this July. The tournament is expected to draw both local and international competitors.
As pickleball continues its rapid ascent, it is reshaping Malaysia’s sporting landscape—winning over new fans while ruffling feathers among purists. Whether it becomes a lasting part of the country’s athletic fabric remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: pickleball is no longer just a casual curiosity—it’s a sport on the rise. - April 16, 2025
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