SHAH ALAM, Oct 18 — The sport of pickleball is set to be introduced in schools statewide beginning next year, as part of efforts to give due recognition to the emerging sport and to nurture young talent across Selangor.
State executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi said the structured implementation will form part of the state government’s commitment to strengthening sports development and encouraging youth participation in healthy activities.
“Starting next year, InsyaAllah (God willing), we will implement a structured programme in schools throughout Selangor. Teachers will be exposed to coaching aspects, while pupils will be introduced to the basics of the game.
“Unlike sports such as football, badminton, hockey or table tennis, which are recognised under the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM), pickleball has yet to be listed,” he said.
Najwan was speaking to the press during the Asean Sports Industry Expo 2025, organised by the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) at the Setia City Convention Centre yesterday.
He added that the state government is also in discussions with KBS to facilitate the recognition of pickleball as an official MSSM sport.
“I have discussed the matter with Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, so that the ministry can help facilitate the process of including pickleball in the MSSM syllabus,” he said.
Meanwhile, Yeoh said that several conditions must be met before a sport can be introduced at the school level.
“Therefore, the Malaysian Pickleball Association still has a lot of groundwork to do before the sport can be brought into schools. However, I see its growth as very organic.
“The government does not need to build new infrastructure because the private sector has already taken the initiative. Many facilities are already available in shopping centres and neighbourhood areas,” she said.
