The people behind the Duta International Tennis Academy are in a quandary, unsure if they can continue operating at the National Sports Complex in Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur, beyond December 2025.
Selvam revealed that the Malaysia Stadium Corporation (PSM), which manages the venue, had sent a letter stating that the contract will expire in December and will not be renewed. He said no reason was given for the decision.
“But we have appealed (to stay), so we just got to wait,” Selvam said on a recent episode of the Julang podcast.
He was joined on the show by childhood friend and fellow former national tennis player R. Ramachandran, who also coaches at the academy.
Selvam explained that in the past, the contract between his academy and PSM was for three years with an additional three-year extension.
“It’s been three plus three. This year (term) we also have a plus three (years). We have appealed, so we just wait,” said the former national No. 1, who was unbeaten for nearly two decades.
Whispers around the sports complex suggest plans are in motion to convert the tennis courts into a pickleball venue.
PSM chairman Datin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz told Twentytwo13 this afternoon that the corporation is reviewing its facilities, adding: “No decision has been made yet, but we will bear in mind that the academy has been operating well for many years.”
Pickleball has gained popularity in recent years, with many operators converting futsal, badminton and tennis courts into pickleball courts.
“Of course our (Youth and Sports) Minister Hannah Yeoh will help because we’re ex-athletes, and we can only go to her,” Selvam said.
He invited representatives from the Youth and Sports Ministry and PSM to visit the academy, stressing that it is not merely a money-making centre, but also provides opportunities for underprivileged children and those with special needs to play tennis.
Selvam said he had operated at the centre with the blessings of former prime ministers Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Najib Razak, when the complex was under the National Sports Council (NSC).
“Najib was the sports minister when I was playing. So he knew I didn’t have an education, and this (tennis) is what I specialise in. (The late NSC director-generals) Datuk Wira Mazlan Ahmad and Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong allowed us to use the space.
“The best part is that they said, ‘Selvam, throughout your playing career you never asked for government’s money, so at least we are giving you this (space) and hope you’re happy with it.’”
Selvam added that Mazlan had also hoped the academy would become a lifeline for former athletes to earn a living.
The academy currently employs seven coaches and trains about 200 players of various ages. It has five courts and living quarters for the coaches. Selvam also dreams of building a hostel to allow players from outside the Klang Valley to take part in training and competitions.
When asked about the pickleball takeover rumours, Ramachandran said: “Let’s put it this way, I don’t think so because the game (tennis) is big, the game is bigger than anything else.
“Tennis is an Olympic sport. Pickleball and padel are good, but they are social games right now and can be played anywhere – in a mall, in a warehouse. We can’t do that with tennis. We need a centre. We don’t want to compare (tennis) with padel or pickleball.”
Catch the full episode of Julang here:
