Pickleball Growth in Malaysia: Pickleball is quickly becoming popular across Malaysia, but not everyone is excited about the change. The Malaysian Pickleball Association (MPA) is helping the sport grow, even as traditional players raise concerns about court use and facility changes.
A Fast Rise in Popularity
Pickleball, a fast-paced mix of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, is attracting players of all ages in Malaysia. The sport is played on a small court with paddles and a plastic ball. It is being enjoyed for both recreation and competition. However, not everyone welcomes the changes. As more pickleball courts appear, some tennis and badminton fans are upset. They worry about the visual changes and possible damage to shared courts.
Concerns from Traditional Players
Court sharing has caused some problems. Purists of tennis and badminton dislike tape markings used for pickleball. They also fear the courts will wear out faster.
“We encountered resistance early on, with some operators rejecting our requests to use their courts due to fears the ball would damage the surface,”. “But we were fortunate that others allowed us to play, and we’ve always made sure to remove the tape markings after each session,” (MPA president Farrel Choo).
Court Costs and Growing Numbers
Another issue is the rising cost of renting courts. Some places now charge up to RM70 an hour. Choo explained,
“When we started in Miri, court rentals were as low as RM27 to RM30 per hour. “But as demand increases, prices rise, and the operators are responsible for setting these rates,” (Farrel Choo).
He believes that more dedicated pickleball courts will help lower the costs over time. The number of players has already grown from 2,000 in March last year to over 10,000 by November.
Future Plans for Pickleball in Malaysia
Despite some resistance, Choo believes pickleball is not just a passing trend.
“In the United States, 14% of the population plays pickleball. Our target is to reach 10% of Malaysia’s population within the next decade,” (Farrel Choo).
The MPA is planning more growth, including hosting the first Malaysia Open in Sarawak in July. They are also working to add pickleball to future Malaysia Games (Sukma) events. Pickleball’s rapid growth in Malaysia shows no sign of slowing. With expanding facilities and increasing numbers, the sport is on its way to becoming a major part of Malaysia’s sporting landscape.
News in Brief: Pickleball Growth in Malaysia
Pickleball is growing quickly in Malaysia, attracting thousands of players. Some tennis and badminton fans are unhappy as courts are shared or changed. Despite complaints, the Malaysian Pickleball Association plans to keep expanding the sport, hosting the Malaysia Open in July and aiming for 10% national participation in a decade.
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