Pickleball Turf Wars in Malaysia: Pickleball’s rise in Malaysia is causing disputes with tennis and badminton players as court spaces are shared. Complaints have poured in, especially in places where facilities are repurposed. Despite the conflict, pickleball’s popularity continues to grow with government support and new facilities opening across the country.
Pickleball Expanding Rapidly
Once a small sport, pickleball is now booming in Malaysia. Known for loving racquet sports, Malaysians have quickly embraced it.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, corporate sponsors, and players have helped spread the game. Pickleball is loved for being easy to play, affordable, and suitable for all ages.
Malaysia recently opened its first dedicated pickleball stadium in Kuala Lumpur. Coaches will train players there as part of a full plan to grow the sport early.
Battle for Court Space
Pickleball courts, sized at 20 feet by 44 feet, are replacing many tennis and badminton courts. This has angered players of those traditional sports.
Many badminton and tennis trainees complained about court disruptions and surface damage due to shared use. Complaints have reached authorities as tensions rise.
Despite this, pickleball courts continue to open each week. Farrel Choo Kah Thiam, president of the Malaysia Pickleball Association (MPA), spoke about the issue.
“We encountered resistance early on, with some operators rejecting our requests to use their courts due to fears the ball would damage the surface”-(Farrel Choo Kah Thiam)
“But we were fortunate that others allowed us to play and we have always ensured to remove the tape markings after each session”-(Farrel Choo Kah Thiam)
Higher Costs and Future Plans
The rush for courts has led to rising rental prices. This has upset many tennis and badminton players who now must pay more.
“As demand increases, prices rise, and the operators are responsible for setting these rates. But I believe that as more dedicated pickleball facilities are built, the cost will eventually decrease.”-(Farrel Choo Kah Thiam)
Malaysia’s pickleball community has grown from 2,000 players to 10,000 in just a year.
“In the United States, 14 percent of the population plays pickleball. Our target is to reach 10 percent of Malaysia’s population within the next decade”- (Farrel Choo Kah Thiam)
The MPA plans to build more pickleball courts and is pushing for the sport’s inclusion in the Malaysia Games.
Sarawak, a Malaysian state, recently hosted the Panas Cup – the Pickleball Grand Slam. It will also host the first Malaysia Open in July, welcoming local and international players.
What Lies Ahead
Pickleball is quickly becoming a part of Malaysia’s sports culture. However, with its growth, old racquet sports face space issues.
If new facilities are built as planned, tension between players may ease. For now, the battle for courts shows no signs of slowing down.
News in Brief: Pickleball Turf Wars in Malaysia
Pickleball’s rise in Malaysia is causing tension with tennis and badminton players. Shared court spaces and rising rental costs have led to complaints. Despite resistance, the Malaysia Pickleball Association pushes forward with plans for more courts and major tournaments, aiming to grow the sport’s popularity nationwide.
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