KUALA LUMPUR – Pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports among Malaysian youth, could soon make its debut as a medal event at the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma), which will be hosted by Selangor.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari announced during the Selangor State Legislative Assembly today that the state government has allocated RM1 million to develop 100,000 new pickleball players over the next five years.
“One of the unique appeals of pickleball is its inclusiveness. Whether young or old, male or female, anyone can take part,” he said.
“Selangor also aims to be the first state to introduce pickleball as a medal event in SUKMA 2026, Insya-Allah,” he added.
In preparation for this milestone, the state government plans to organise the Selangor Pickleball Festival, featuring the Selangor Pickleball International Open Championships.
This initiative will not only help cultivate new talent but also align with the 2025 Visit Selangor Year campaign to attract international visitors.
The programme will also include school and district-level competitions to ignite interest among youth and nurture future champions.
“Local authorities will convert existing outdoor badminton courts in public parks into pickleball courts, as badminton is better suited for indoor play,” Amirudin explained.
Additionally, the state government will allocate RM1 million to develop the e-sports industry.
Amirudin shared that the state plans to transform the Carlton Hotel into the Selangor E-Sports Hub, a dedicated space for hosting both local and international e-sports competitions.
This move aims to position Selangor as a key player in the rapidly growing e-sports sector, attracting regional and global attention.
For Sukma 2026, the Selangor government has also allocated RM6 million for a Sports Development Programme designed to prepare its athletes for the biennial Games.
Selangor last hosted Sukma in 1998, achieving a record-breaking haul of 80 gold medals—a feat that remains unmatched. — November 15, 2024