SUBANG JAYA: The rapid rise of pickleball in Malaysia is not only reshaping the country’s sporting landscape but also creating fresh opportunities for tourism and small local businesses.
Marc Chua, organising chairman of the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Kuala Lumpur Open and executive director of Rallyworld International, believes the sport’s accessibility and international appeal make it a powerful economic catalyst. Rallyworld International is the official licensee for APP in Malaysia.
Having organised several pickleball tournaments last year, Chua witnessed the market’s growth and approached APP about hosting its first event in Asia.
Coincidentally, the association was building a Global Pickleball Alliance and forging relationships worldwide as it sought to expand beyond the United States and Europe.
“We felt the Malaysian market was ready to host a major international professional tour such as the APP,” said Chua.
“Through direct engagement with APP in the United States, we successfully secured Malaysia as the tour’s first Asian stop.
“By working with us, they have also expanded into Asia. In two weeks, the APP will be heading to Japan.”
Chua said the partnership opened a new chapter for pickleball in Malaysia and marked the beginning of APP’s broader Asian expansion.
The Kuala Lumpur Open at Playa Racquet Club @ PARC Subang drew 1,760 entries, narrowly missing its 1,800 target but still earning an entry in the Malaysia Book of Records for ‘Largest participation in a pickleball competition’.
“We fell just short of 1,800 entries but are very pleased to have entered the Malaysia Book of Records. This is only the beginning,” he said.
“We strongly believe the pickleball market in Malaysia is still growing. As we continue to expand, next year we might see 2,000 or even 3,000 participants – who knows? We are very confident there is long-term potential for the sport in this country.”
However, he stressed that pickleball’s significance goes beyond participation numbers.
Chua (middle), says pickleball can become a new pillar of sports tourism, after the Kuala Lumpur Open at Playa Racquet Club @ PARC Subang drew 1,760 participants.
“We are not just bringing in the sporting element. An international professional event like this offers much more – similar in principle to MotoGP, although we are not yet at that scale. This is an emerging segment. We are also doing our best to support and stimulate the tourism sector.”
He said international tournaments bring foreign athletes, officials and supporters, all of whom contribute to hotel occupancy, food and beverage sales, transport services and retail spending.
One example is Hawaii-born Xiao Yi Wang-Beckvall, who arrived in Kuala Lumpur a week before the tournament began and is now setting up her base in Malaysia.
“The good thing about pickleball is that it is accessible to everyone. The cost of entry is relatively low, so it allows smaller businesses to get involved,” he said.
“As participation grows, more brands will want to support tournaments because they can see the potential.”
Chua confirmed the APP partnership will extend beyond Kuala Lumpur.
“We have an agreement to be the exclusive partner in Malaysia. This year, there will be two stops – Kuala Lumpur this week, followed by a second stop in Penang from Aug 3 to 9.
“At the same time, the relatively low barrier to entry in pickleball opens doors for cottage industries. We hope to get more local sponsors to join the Penang event.”
The Penang leg will feature a different group of professional players.
“In the US, APP professionals tend to compete mainly among themselves. However, there are many excellent players across Asia who do not often have the opportunity to travel to the US to compete – whether for financial reasons or other constraints. Likewise, American players do not frequently compete in Asia.
“What we are trying to do is create a platform that brings together the best from the East and the West. At the same time, having more international professionals compete here will also drive the growth of the sport in Malaysia.”
The Penang event continues to enjoy corporate backing, with Leapmotor and CelcomDigi on board.
As Malaysia positions itself as a regional hub for emerging sports, Chua is confident pickleball can play a strategic role – not only in developing athletic talent but also in strengthening tourism flows and empowering small businesses.
“This partnership opens a new chapter,” he said. “And we are just getting started.”
Meanwhile, Sofia Sewing (main image) conquered the tournament by winning three titles – women’s singles,women’s doubles with Megan Fudge and mixed doubles with Casey Diamond.
Phuc Huyn won the men’s singles title, while Jack Munro and Ryan Fu won the doubles crown.
APP KL Open Winners
Men
Singles: Phuc Huynh
Doubles: Jack Munro and Ryan Fu
Women
Singles: Sofia Sewing
Doubles: Megan Fudge and Sofia Sewing
Mixed doubles: Sofia Sewing and Casey Diamond
Images: Asiana.my
