The Panas Malaysia Open 2025 has begun in Kuala Lumpur, marking the first PPA Tour Asia event in Malaysia. Malaysian pickleball players Jimmy Liong and Mia Athilla have returned home after three months training in the United States with the UPA Asia Trailblazers program to compete in this major event.
Malaysia is quickly becoming a popular place for pickleball, and this tournament highlights how fast the sport is growing across Asia. For Jimmy Liong and Mia Athilla, this moment is both professional and personal.
Liong’s Journey and Local Vision
Jimmy Liong started playing pickleball because of his father. His passion has grown into work training young Malaysian players at his academy. Competing in the United States has made him even more sure that pickleball can succeed in Malaysia.
“I’m very excited to play in Malaysia because we have the best crowds,” (Jimmy Liong).
Athilla’s Determination and Family Ties
Mia Athilla has lived in Kuala Lumpur her whole life. She has over ten years of tennis experience and studied sports science. With strong support from her family, she is eager to show that pickleball can become a professional career in Asia.
“I want to show that pickleball is not just fun sports and that it can be a sport that you can make a living from in Asia,” (Mia Athilla).
Her goals reach beyond winning.
“Gaining experience, wins, and putting Malaysia on the map,” (Mia Athilla).
But her reasons are also very personal.
“My family is here. My friends are here. Everybody that I love is here, and I just want to make them proud,” (Mia Athilla).
Growing Momentum in Malaysia
The timing of the Panas Malaysia Open 2025 is perfect. As the PPA Tour Asia launches its first event on Malaysian soil, the return of Jimmy Liong and Mia Athilla shows how much local talent has grown.
Their journey from training abroad to competing at home reflects the rapid rise of pickleball in Malaysia. With players like them leading the way, the sport’s future in the region looks bright.
News in Brief: Panas Malaysia Open 2025
Jimmy Liong and Mia Athilla have returned to Malaysia to play in the Panas Malaysia Open 2025, the country’s first PPA Tour Asia event. After training in the U.S., they hope to inspire local players and show that pickleball can be a serious professional sport in Asia.