SHAH ALAM – Bandar Kuching member of parliament Dr Kelvin Yii has been appointed as one of the advisors to the Malaysia Pickleball Association (MPA), marking another milestone in the country’s efforts to grow the fast-rising sport nationwide.
The appointment was officially presented by MPA Committee Members and State Association representatives, led by Acting President Delima Ibrahim.
Expressing his gratitude, Yii said the role aligns with his aspiration to drive the sport’s growth, particularly at the grassroots level.
“I am honoured to serve as an advisor to MPA. This appointment gives me the opportunity to contribute towards governance, structural frameworks and strategic policies that will ensure pickleball meets international standards and achieves sustainable growth in Malaysia,” he said in a statement.
In recent months, Dr Yii said MPA has been working closely with the Youth and Sports Ministry, Education Ministry and other agencies to integrate pickleball into Malaysia’s sports ecosystem. The long-term vision is to see pickleball recognised as a mainstream sport and eventually secure its place in national and international games, creating new medal prospects for the country.
He added that the timing could not be more significant as pickleball has exploded in popularity across Malaysia. In the Klang Valley alone, the first quarter of 2025 saw over 40,000 monthly court bookings, while the Reclub app reports more than 150,000 active weekly players nationwide, specifically for registered users accounts only.
“Pickleball is no longer just a trend; it’s a movement. Malaysians are embracing it at record levels, and the demand speaks for itself. What we need now is structured development, accessibility at the grassroots level and pathways for talent discovery,” he said.
With participation numbers soaring, he believes the time was ripe to build a solid foundation that will secure the sport’s long-term success and position Malaysia as a serious contender on the international stage.