SHAH ALAM, May 15 — The Selangor government has allocated RM500,000 for a pickleball tour series to 50 schools statewide to introduce the sport to students and uncover new talent.
State executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi said the 12-month programme aims to have 500 students and 100 teachers join a basic course and special training to build a development ecosystem for the sport in schools.
According to him, the initiative not only exposes students to the sport, but helps schools develop more systematic training plans, including by training teachers to become pickleball coaches.
“If we look at schools, there is training under the National Sports Council, but pickleball isn’t included, so at the Selangor level, we will start with cooperation from the Selangor State Education Department.
“We will visit schools and give exposure to this sport, and at the same time give teachers space to become coaches. This could help shape school teams and the state could hold (tournaments),” he said after launching the Selangor Pickleball Sport Development Programme (Picklespark) at Pickleball Playground here today.
According to Najwan, the development of the sport could present a significant impact as pickleball is becoming increasingly popular and is well received by various segments of society.
“Pickleball involves nearly every (segment) of society, not just the young generation who live in urban areas, but aged groups and rural communities also play this sport.
“This sport is increasingly gaining its place in society. It’s a pity if the state government doesn’t support its ecosystem. With Picklespark, Selangor would be the first state to develop this type of sport,” he added.
Coaches guide students in pickleball during the launch of the Selangor Pickleball Sport Development Programme (Picklespark) at Pickleball Playground in Shah Alam on May 15, 2026. — Picture by FIKRI YUSOF/MEDIA SELANGOR
Najwan also urged state and national pickleball groups to ramp up efforts to organise more championships so the sport has the potential to enter prestigious sporting events like the Malaysian Games (SUKMA).
“When more are involved, this sport can be centred like other sports. What’s important is state- and national-level pickleball associations must act or take aggressive steps to promote this sport.
“(They must) hold and expand more championships. After that, we can see and evaluate if pickleball could be a high-prestige sport,” Najwan said.
