Is pickleball merely a passing trend in Malaysia or does it have the potential to establish itself as a staple sport? As the game gains popularity, drawing enthusiasts of all ages to its courts, the question looms larger.
However as the excitement builds, the sustainability of this newfound passion remains to be seen. Will pickleball endure and flourish or will it fade away as just another fleeting fad?
Veteran local sports analyst Datuk Pekan Ramli said that pickleball, which combines elements of badminton, tennis and ping pong, has been steadily gaining popularity in Malaysia since its introduction in 2019.
The game is accessible to all ages, making it a social activity that could potentially evolve into a professional sport.
"It is played on a smaller court, resembling tennis, with paddles and a plastic ball that has holes, much like the rising sport of padel. Its smaller court size, slower ball movement and minimal physical demands compared to tennis or badminton make it an appealing recreational activity for many.
"It also helps improve balance, agility, hand-eye coordination and reflexes without putting as much strain on the body,” Pekan said to Sinar Daily in an interview.
Pekan explained that pickleball was invented in the United States (US) in 1965, but it has only recently gained significant popularity.
The rise of thousands of clubs and competitions worldwide has contributed to this trend, with a particularly active presence in Malaysia, especially in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Sarawak.
Furthermore, he emphasised that Malaysia has hosted several international events, attracting participants from countries such as the United States, Egypt, Iraq and Singapore, positioning the nation as a potential regional hub for the sport.
"The rapid growth of pickleball can be attributed to its accessibility and ease of play, with courts being built or converted from tennis and badminton facilities.
The sport's appeal to both younger and older players, along with proactive promotion by clubs and its affordability, has significantly contributed to its growing popularity.
"However, there are concerns about pickleball's long-term sustainability in Malaysia. New sports in the country often experience a brief surge in popularity before fading, as seen with dodgeball and teqball.
"Even futsal, which saw an initial boom with courts across the nation, is now experiencing a decline. Futsal benefits from established leagues and international tournaments, something pickleball has yet to develop,” he said.
Pekan emphasised for pickleball to sustain its growth, government support is essential, particularly in building dedicated courts.
He pointed out that by incorporating pickleball into co-curricular activities, university sports programmes, and national events like the Malaysia Games (Sukma) could enhance its status and inclusion in the Olympics would certainly cement its position as a mainstream sport.
However, despite the enjoyment that the smaller court size, slower ball movement, lighter paddle and simpler scoring system bring to many, Pekan contends that the sport's slower pace and reduced physical demands diminish the competitive thrill found in other racquet sports.
"This lack of thrill might be why pickleball could struggle to gain major international appeal or Olympic recognition.
"If the sport had true global potential, the US would likely have pushed for its inclusion during high-profile events like the 1996 Atlanta Olympics or the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics,” he asserted.
Pekan stressed that, despite its increasing popularity, he believes pickleball will not surpass badminton, a sport that is deeply ingrained in Malaysia's culture.
"Badminton holds a special place in the hearts of Malaysians, making it unlikely that any racquet sport could overshadow it. Even squash, despite producing an eight-time world champion in Datuk Nicol Ann David, could not rival badminton's dominance.
"For these reasons, I do not see pickleball posing any real threat to badminton, either in Malaysia or globally,” he said.