PPA Asia event Malaysian Backlash: The first Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour event in Asia was held in Malaysia but left many amateur players feeling frustrated and unheard. Though it marked a big step for the sport in the region, Malaysian players say they felt exploited rather than supported.
Multiple concerns were raised about how the tournament was run, especially around poor communication, unclear scheduling, and what some called a “money grab” by the organisers.
Poor Communication Before and During the Event
Many amateur players tried to contact organisers before the event for updates or changes but received no replies. Some said their existing DUPR IDs were ignored and that duplicate accounts were created without permission. When they asked for help, no one responded.
High Fees and Unbalanced Matches
Entry fees were high, with players paying over RM400 for a single category. Despite this, many divisions were combined because of low participation. In one case, a woman in the over-50 intermediate singles division had to play against top-level open players. “I ended up in a group of three, against one of the best players in Asia… I played only two games,” she said.
Top players also felt it was unfair. They didn’t enjoy playing against less experienced opponents. Players and observers believe PPA should have worked harder to boost participation, even if that meant lowering entry fees.
Long Wait Times and Poor Scheduling
The same player was told her match had moved from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., but only found out through an email sent after she had already left home. After her first match, she waited five hours for her next. Similar delays affected many in the over-50 men’s singles and other divisions.
Referee Training Costs and Low Pay
Local referees had to pay USD $200 to attend a required training course. They were then paid only USD $50 per day for 12-hour shifts, with a maximum of three days’ work. Referees in amateur matches often refused to make line calls and lacked basic rule knowledge.
One men’s over-35 doubles player said,
“My referee forced me to wear a band… he didn’t even understand what the band was for. I had to explain it to him!”
Players Vent Online and On-Site
Player Adam Ng shared his experience on Instagram. He said his 10:00 a.m. match started at 11:34 a.m., followed by another match at 1:00 p.m., and a four-hour wait for his third. He said,
I joined the PPA not because I expected to play world-class opponents, but because I wanted to experience a world-class tournament.
He felt the organisers did not respect the time of amateur players. Adam also said many match announcements were muffled and hard to hear, and that players had to check their phones constantly to avoid missing games.
Referee Confusion and Game Reversals
In one case, a team was awarded a forfeit win after their opponents failed to show. But 10 minutes later, they were told the match would be replayed because the other team had gone to eat and hadn’t known about the schedule.
Lack of Value and Comfort for Players
Players complained about the lack of extras. Some expected more than just a T-shirt for their high entry fees. Access to watch pro players on the grandstand court required another paid ticket, even for those who had already paid to participate.
Poor Playing Conditions
There were no shower facilities and no proper shaded rest areas. Many players felt sick from the heat, and no cooling spaces were provided despite the tropical climate. Unconfirmed reports suggest both women’s pro finalists needed hospital care due to dehydration.
Hope for Improvement
Players acknowledged the effort by Vincent Siow and teams at Panas Express and 9Pickle in bringing the PPA Asia Tour to Malaysia. But they also stressed that changes are needed.
The event left many players feeling the PPA prioritised money over people. If the tour is to grow in Asia, players say organisers must listen to feedback and focus on better planning, fair pricing, and proper treatment of all athletes.
News in Brief: PPA Asia Event Malaysian Backlash
Many Malaysian players left the first PPA Asia event feeling disappointed. High fees, poor planning, weak communication, and lack of support were common complaints. While the event brought big names to Malaysia, amateur players said the experience felt more like a cash grab than a celebration of pickleball.
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