KUALA LUMPUR — The Selangor state government recognises the need to build more infrastructure and facilities to support the growth of pickleball across the state, said Mohd Najwan Halimi, Selangor’s Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneurship Committee Chairman.
Najwan’s statement comes in response to criticism from opposition assemblyman Muhammad Hilman Idham (PN-Gombak Setia), who questioned the RM1 million allocation in the state budget, tabled by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari on November 15.
The allocation aims to develop 100,000 new pickleball players over the next five years.
Hilman argued that investing heavily in pickleball, a sport he sees as trendy, might be wasteful given the lack of facilities to support its development.
Najwan, however, assured the legislative assembly recently that the government is committed to effectively using the allocated funds to avoid wastage.
“I’ll consider and discuss this matter with the Selangor State Sports Council. We’re aware of the need to develop the pickleball ecosystem in the state.
“I agree with the comments from Gombak Setia that we must prioritise building the necessary infrastructure and facilities for this sport. Pickleball is indeed a new sport, and it is very popular in urban areas of the state, such as Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, and Shah Alam.
“However, it may not yet be as widely accepted in rural areas. I’ll take this into consideration and act on Gombak Setia’s advice,” he said.
Najwan also assured that investments in pickleball would not overshadow other sports, such as badminton and athletics, which have already brought success.
“I can assure you that there will be no wastage of funds, and we will ensure that all allocations are used effectively,” he added.
For the record, the state government also plans to organise the Selangor Pickleball Festival, which will feature the Selangor Pickleball International Open Championships next year, alongside plans to introduce the sport in the 2026 Sukma.
In preparation for the Games, the state government has allocated RM6 million for a Sports Development Programme to support its athletes.
Selangor last hosted Sukma in 1998, achieving a record-breaking haul of 80 gold medals—a feat that remains unmatched. — November 23, 2024