SELANGOR is looking to introduce pickleball in schools around the state next year, said State executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi.
This is part of efforts to give the emerging sport due recognition and to nurture new talents.
"The structured implementation of this new sport will be part of the state's commitment to enhance the development of sports and encourage more youth participations in healthy activities," he said as reported by Media Selangor.
"Hopefully from next year, we will implement a structured programme in schools throughout Selangor, while teachers will also be exposed to coaching aspects and pupils will be introduced to the basics of the game.
“Unlike sports such as football, badminton, hockey or table tennis, which are recognised under the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM), pickleball has yet to be listed,” he said.
He said the state would also discuss with the Youth and Sports Ministry to recognise pickleball as an official MSSM sport.
“I have discussed the matter with Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, so that the ministry can help facilitate the process of including pickleball in the MSSM syllabus,” he said.
Meanwhile, Yeoh said that several conditions must be met before a sport can be introduced at the school level.
“The Malaysian Pickleball Association still has a lot of groundwork to do before the sport can be brought into schools. However, I see its growth as very organic.
“The government does not need to build new infrastructure because the private sector has already taken the initiative and many facilities are already available in shopping centres and neighbourhood areas,” she said. - October 18, 2025
