Latest news with #WorldPickleballChampionship
The Star
18-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Education specialist ReSkills has big plans for pickleball and aims to see it grow at the grassroots level
Pickleball is now the fastest-growing pastime sport globally, and it has also seen a phenomenal rise in Malaysia. And ReSkills EdTech, the education specialist set-up, is eyeing to push the game into the grassroots level. ReSkills, the organiser of the First Asia Pickleball Summit in KL, believes that pickleball has a bright future in Malaysia and aims to strengthen the sport, which they say is an incredible recreational event for all, helping many to stay fit and healthy. "This is an amazing way to be healthy, fit, and have fun at the same time," said Jin Tan, the CEO of ReSkills. "This is the way forward for our community of Malaysia to be vibrant in their life. Pickleball is the way forward - it is fun, fun and more fun. And while doing that, you are also staying fit and healthy. It is the perfect combination." Jin added that they are also working hand-in-hand with the Malaysian Pickleball Association in trying to push the game to the grassroots level. "We are working closely with the association and we have big plans for the game," added Jin, who is also the president of Reskill Pickleball Club. "It is also great news for us that the Youth and Sports Ministry is fully supporting our initiatives. "One way of pushing the sports to the next level is also by having our own club, and we are emphasising a lot in introducing the game to the young ones." Meanwhile, Ken Lim, the Chief Business Officer of ReSkills and vice-president of the club, said they have already been making plans to push the game to schools in Malaysia. "The thing is, this game has associations in all the states. That helps us even more. And pickleball is also not an expensive recreational sport, unlike other games. "It is very affordable for all and we aim to take advantage of it by introducing the game to all. What is important is that we have a big pool of players and then we look at the future and have more participation in the international arena." For the record, while the Asian Pickleball summit was going on, Malaysia is also hosting the World Pickleball Championship (WPC) Asian Grand Slam event, which started on Wednesday (July 16). Hannah Yeoh, the Minister of Youth and Sports, said on Thursday, when officiating the event, that she is impressed with the way the pastime sport has picked up in Malaysia and foresees a bright future for the game. For the record, pickleball is a racket or paddle sport in which two or four players use a smooth-faced paddle to hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball over a 34-inch-high (0.86 m) net until one side is unable to return the ball or commits a rule infraction. Pickleball is played indoors and outdoors. It was invented in 1965 as a children's backyard game in the United States, on Bainbridge Island in Washington State. In 2022, pickleball was named the official state sport of Washington. Aspects of the sport resemble tennis and table tennis played on a doubles badminton court, but pickleball has specific scoring rules, paddles, balls and court lines. * As for the first-ever Asia Pickleball Summit (APS), it was held at One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya, underscoring Malaysia's pioneering role in Asia's fastest-growing sport. The summit gathered global pioneers, innovators, and change-makers to spark a new chapter for pickleball in Asia. This event, besides being organised by Malaysia-based global online learning platform ReSkills EdTech, co-hosted by AFA Community and AsiaPickleball TV, is officially endorsed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia (KBS), and fully supported by the Malaysia Pickleball Association (MPA) — marking a key milestone in the emerging Asian sports landscape. Jin Tan said, 'We are also promoting this sport to create more possibilities for Asia's youth through empowerment through sports.' He pointed out that as Pickleball surges globally, Asia is poised for unprecedented growth and Malaysia is riding the frontlines. In the past 90 days alone, over 57,555 activities were hosted nationwide, 3,916 clubs were formed, and almost 150,000 players are actively engaged here, ranking first in Asia. 'These figures are no accident; they are the result of uniting education, technology, and community,' Jin added. "The birth of APS is an extension of ReSkills' long-standing mission of 'Empowerment Through Education.' Jin said ReSkills views Pickleball not just as a sport, but also as an educational tool and a language for cross-cultural exchange. On hindsight, Ken and Jin also added that the event was not just a sporting event, it was a strategic cross-sector convergence that gave new momentum to pickleball. "The summit enabled synergy between sports, education, healthcare, and finance, while promoting public health and strengthening community engagement," said Ken. The event also successfully attracted youth and women, demonstrating pickleball's inclusiveness and mass participation potential. Hannah Yeoh also added that: "Pickleball is not just a sport, it's an opportunity to redefine education, community building, and youth empowerment. It is also important to note that pickleball has accessibility, affordability, and community-building value across all age groups, particularly for women and senior citizens." She also highlighted that Malaysian sports greats such as Lee Chong Wei, Nicol David, and Cheah Liek Hou have also joined the promotion efforts, reinforcing Malaysia's emerging leadership in Asia. Ken Lim, also APS Organising Chairperson, stated: 'Sports is education in motion. APS is where thought meets action, and Malaysia proudly stands at its epicentre. Through ReSkills, Pickleball becomes more than a match; it becomes a classroom. More than a game, it becomes empowerment." More details:
The Star
17-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
'Sure is a great way to get fit and healthy,' says Hannah Yeoh on pickleball, the raging phenomenon that has hit Malaysia and the region
Hannah Yeoh, the Minister of Youth and Sports, says that she is just impressed with the way the pastime sport pickleball has picked up in Malaysia and is certainly impressed with that way it has helped Malaysians to be healthier. "It is amazing. There are so many people who are into this game these days. But I really do believe it is a fantastic way to get fit and helps Malaysians to be healthier," said Hannah at the One World Hotel in Petaling Jaya after officiating at the 2025 Asia Pickleball Summit. "It's fantastic too that a lot of people that I know are also into this game, and this includes my own family members. My sister does not play many sports, but now she is into this game and she's like plays it almost every day. "That's amazing, you know. Even a friend told me that he lost 10kg because he started to play the game. It's just wonderful that many people are playing the game. I foresee an excellent future for this game." Hannah also added that the pastime may soon the game go real top class and even be competed in the Olympics. "The game is getting big globally. I also read that there are many associations in the world that are pushing it into the mainstream. Maybe, one day it will be competed in the Olympics too, I do believe Malaysia must be ready for it, and maybe we can have a good player here," added Hannah. "We even heard that Selangor is going big in the game and hopes to hold international events here. As usual, the ministry will always have good programmes. "As I see it, pickleball is growing rapidly here in Malaysia, from community courts and school programmes to social activities and public events,' Adam said. "It is good to see a state having big plans for this game. "This excellent pastime is also simple to start, thrilling to play, and most importantly, it brings people together.' For the record, the venue in PJ is also hosting the World Pickleball Championship (WPC) Asian Grand Slam, the event is being held in Malaysia for the first time, besides hosting the 2025 Asia Pickleball Summit. Delima Ibrahim, the acting president of the Malaysian Pickleball Association, added that Malaysia have a large pool of players already. "According to our latest record, there are almost 150,000 active players in Malaysia. This is an incredible feat for such a new sport. The association also aims to have its own ranking system soon. This will help Malaysians know their standards and also help them during tournaments. "We will stage a Malaysian Open later this year where international players can also take part in the tournament. At the same time, a Malaysian Closed will also be held only for our players, which will help the rankings programme," said Amelia. "We also have plans to introduce the game in the grassroots level. There are exciting time ahead for this game." For the record, pickleball is a racket or paddle sport in which two or four players use a smooth-faced paddle to hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball over a 34-inch-high (0.86 m) net until one side is unable to return the ball or commits a rule infraction. Pickleball is played indoors and outdoors. It was invented in 1965 as a children's backyard game in the United States, on Bainbridge Island in Washington State. In 2022, pickleball was named the official state sport of Washington. Aspects of the sport resemble tennis and table tennis played on a doubles badminton court, but pickleball has specific scoring rules, paddles, balls and court lines. The game has been picking up frantic space in Malaysia and also South-East Asia. In Malaysia, the game can now be seen in almost every other major car parks and also many tennis courts and badminton courts have been changed to pickleball courts due to its immense popularity. In Singapore, bookings for pickleball courts need to be made as early as a week ahead of the planned play. Even Malaysians are trying to play the game in Singapore to test out its courts. The game has also made its way to Laos and Cambodia and is also well-known in Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. The amazing thing about the game is that it is very affordable for Malaysians to pick up the pastime. Most courts charge around RM60 per court, and it is equipped for four people to play the game. On top of that, many of the host/owners of the venue also offer the bats and ball to play the game for free (meaning it is probably RM15 per person to take up the sport for an hour.) "It is also a fun, fun game," said Delima. "That is an important aspect for many of us. Having fun and staying healthy, it's a perfect combination." In another development, the federal government remains firm in its decision to lower the youth age limit to 30 years, effective Jan 1, 2026, in line with amendments passed by Parliament in 2019, said Hannah. However, she said organisations like Sarawak's main youth body, Pertubuhan Belia Kebangsaan Bersatu Sarawak (SABERKAS), are exempted from the ruling because they are registered under the Registrar of Societies (RoS), not the Registrar of Youth Organisations (ROY). "With regard to the youth age limit, the government has already made a decision -- Parliament passed the law in 2019. It has since been postponed twice, which means we are now in the third grace period. "Sarawak has its own youth organisation, SABERKAS, which is registered under the RoS and not under ROY. So they don't need to follow (the federal decision). RoS has no age limit,' she told reporters after officiating at the 2025 Asia Pickleball Summit here today. Hannah stressed that the amendment to set the youth age limit at 30 is a step in line with global trends, which are increasingly focused on the younger generation. Sarawak's Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah had previously stated that Sarawak has the authority to determine the youth age limit at the state level. He said the state intends to maintain its youth age range of 15 to 40 years.
Malay Mail
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
World Pickleball Championship makes historic debut in Malaysia with 1,500 athletes
KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — The rise of pickleball in Malaysia reflects a broader global trend, with the sport serving as a powerful tool for community building and youth engagement, said Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli. 'We've seen pickleball grow rapidly here in Malaysia, from community courts and school programmes to social activities and public events,' Adam said. 'It is simple to start, thrilling to master, and most importantly, it brings people together.' He said the sport's inclusivity and accessibility have made it popular across all age groups, aligning with the ministry's mission to promote healthy, active lifestyles. 'For us at the ministry, this sport aligns with our broader mission: to strengthen community well-being and to provide young Malaysians with more platforms to compete and succeed,' he added. At the launch of the World Pickleball Championship (WPC) Asian Grand Slam being held in Malaysia for the first time, Adam hailed it as a milestone moment. The event will bring together more than 1,500 athletes from 20 countries and regions, making it the biggest pickleball event ever hosted in Malaysia and the largest WPC tournament in history. 'This isn't just about medals and matches. Events like this create tangible impact — in tourism, in business, in real development, and in how we position Malaysia as a destination for world-class competition,' he said, noting that the championship is expected to generate over RM30 million in economic value. When asked about the sport's ranking in the country, Adam said that while its popularity is undeniable, defining its exact position is complex. 'We can say it's definitely very popular due to its accessibility. Old and young can all play. But how do you define 'number one'? Is it based on player numbers, popularity, or something else?' he said. 'I hope that with help from organisations, associations, and partners, we can help the sport grow through competitions like this. That will help pickleball become at least one of the top sports in Malaysia.' Malaysia leading Asian pickleball growth At the event, Seymour Rifkind, founder of the World Pickleball Federation, said the sport was exploding in popularity here. 'I made a prediction 13 years ago when pickleball was a backyard game that it would be the fastest-growing and most popular sport in the world,' he said. He said that Malaysia leads the region in growth rate. 'The fastest-growing pickleball per population is Malaysia. Malaysia is number one, Vietnam is number two, and the amount of growth here in two years is incredible. Continue doing what you're doing on social media; it's working.' The championship will run from tomorrow until Sunday at The Pickle Grounds in Bandar Utama, Kuala Lumpur, featuring various age groups and categories. International athletes are arriving today, and entry for spectators is free. Among the notable Malaysian former athletes competing are Christian Didier Chin, a former top junior tennis player, and former national tennis player Colin Wong Wei Ming.
The Sun
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Malaysia to host WPC Asia Pickleball Grand Slam
MALAYSIA will host the WPC Asia Pickleball Grand Slam 2025, the largest and most prestigious pickleball event ever held in Asia. Taking place from 16-20 July 2025 at The Pickle Grounds, a custom-built rooftop venue atop One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya, the tournament is expected to welcome over 1,500 players from 16+ countries and attract more than 3,000 spectators. This milestone event positions Malaysia as a rising force in the global pickleball scene. Since its launch in 2019, the World Pickleball Championship (WPC) has rapidly expanded to include over 80 events across 15+ countries on four continents. With over 60,000 registered players worldwide, the WPC has grown into the largest and most inclusive pickleball championship series globally. The Grand Slam will feature top global athletes such as Vanshik Kapadia (India), the reigning WPC Asia Treble Champion in Men's Singles, Men's Doubles, and Mixed Doubles, and Anna Clarice Patrimonio (Philippines), the defending Women's Singles Champion. Other notable competitors include players from the United States, Australia, China, Vietnam, Japan, Poland, and Malaysia's rising stars like Colin Wong, Razlan Rawi, and Sharneem Reyes.
The Sun
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Malaysia to host WPC Asia Pickleball Grand Slam 2025
Malaysia will host the WPC Asia Pickleball Grand Slam 2025, the largest and most prestigious pickleball event ever held in Asia. Taking place from 16-20 July 2025 at The Pickle Grounds, a custom-built rooftop venue atop One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya, the tournament is expected to welcome over 1,500 players from 16+ countries and attract more than 3,000 spectators. This milestone event positions Malaysia as a rising force in the global pickleball scene. Since its launch in 2019, the World Pickleball Championship (WPC) has rapidly expanded to include over 80 events across 15+ countries on four continents. With over 60,000 registered players worldwide, the WPC has grown into the largest and most inclusive pickleball championship series globally. The Grand Slam will feature top global athletes such as Vanshik Kapadia (India), the reigning WPC Asia Treble Champion in Men's Singles, Men's Doubles, and Mixed Doubles, and Anna Clarice Patrimonio (Philippines), the defending Women's Singles Champion. Other notable competitors include players from the United States, Australia, China, Vietnam, Japan, Poland, and Malaysia's rising stars like Colin Wong, Razlan Rawi, and Sharneem Reyes.
