Pickleball continues to grow steadily in Malaysia despite claims of a slowdown, with officials pointing to rising participation, frequent tournaments and grassroots expansion as key indicators. According to a report by sinarharian.com, Associate Professor Dr Mohamad Rahizam Abdul Rahim, Chairman of the Malaysian Pickleball Association (MAP) Development Sub-Committee, said fluctuations in interest are natural.
“The reality on the field shows that the courts are still filled with players, especially at night after work,” he said. Rahizam noted that some operators expect quick financial returns without long-term planning, which can create a perception of decline.
However, data suggests otherwise. Tournament participation, player registrations and development programs indicate sustained growth since pickleball was introduced in Malaysia in 2018.
Rahizam expressed confidence in the sport’s future. “God willing, with a strong ecosystem, within five to 10 years pickleball will be able to be on par with other popular sports,” he said.
He outlined key areas required to elevate the sport. Development at grassroots level, especially in schools, a structured coaching system, competitions at all levels, active associations, accessible facilities, and support from industry and government were identified as essential.
Efforts are already underway to expand the sport among younger players. “A total of 50 schools have been identified as pilot projects with the launch scheduled for May 7,” Rahizam said. “This program is seen as an important strategy to expand the involvement of the younger generation, thus ensuring the continuity of the sport,” he added.
The competitive landscape is also expanding rapidly. “The average number of pickleball tournaments organized has now reached over 300 competitions per year, with tournaments taking place almost every weekend,” he said. “These figures clearly refute the claim that interest in pickleball is declining,” he further added.
Rahizam highlighted the sport’s inclusivity as a major strength. “Pickleball can be played by children, adults, and even senior citizens, making the sport truly inclusive and close to the community.”
“This comprehensive nature opens up great space for pickleball to develop not only as a community sport but also as a performance sport that is capable of producing new talent on the international stage.”
Looking ahead, Rahizam believes pickleball is approaching a key phase in its growth. “With the support of a strong ecosystem, pickleball has the potential to become one of the country’s major sports in the next few years,” he said.
Pickleball Popularity
Pickleball is popular because it is easy to learn, accessible, fun for socialising, and promotes a healthy lifestyle. Since the pandemic, more people have taken up the sport. The United States leads the pickleball mania with a 263.5% increase in players since 2014 and an 85.7% annual growth since the pandemic began.
As a result, the demand for pickleball courts has surged, leading to the conversion of existing tennis courts into pickle courts. This is feasible since one tennis court can be converted into almost three pickleball courts. Cities are also building new pickleball facilities, and the number of public pickleball courts in the 100 largest cities in the US has increased sixfold since 2017. Yet cities are still struggling to meet demand.
According to a research paper by the Market US website, the number of pickleball courts worldwide has risen from about 20,000 in 2020 to an estimated 100,000 by 2025. States like Florida, California, and Texas are leading the way in building pickleball infrastructure. Even smaller states like Hawaii and Oklahoma are investing in new facilities, realizing pickleball’s potential. The US pickleball industry will need $855 million to create 24,500 new courts in the next 5 to 7 years.
