KUALA LUMPUR – The Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) has warned pickleball stakeholders against encroaching on tennis facilities for their activities, emphasising the need to prioritise tennis development in Malaysia.
The governing body’s response follows a statement by Selangor Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi, who revealed during the Selangor State Legislative Assembly that the state government is considering utilising underused tennis courts to support pickleball development.
This plan coincides with Selangor’s allocation of RM1 million to grow 100,000 new pickleball players over the next five years and host the Selangor Pickleball Festival, alongside preparations to include the sport in Sukma 2026.
LTAM secretary-general Muhammad Shahrul Hafidz Rahim told Scoop that while the association acknowledges pickleball’s presence in Malaysia, tennis must remain the priority as it holds recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“We don’t oppose coexistence with pickleball, but tennis development must come first,” Hafidz said.
“Pickleball has recently attracted grassroots talents we’ve nurtured, but it remains more of a recreational activity, lacking the competitiveness of tennis.
“It’s unacceptable for pickleball to encroach on our facilities in Selangor. Tennis courts are built to specific standards, and using them for pickleball could damage the surfaces, requiring costly resurfacing.
“The state government should focus on building dedicated pickleball facilities instead of repurposing tennis courts.
“Our courts are essential for tennis activities, including at least 50 national tournaments planned for next year. If pickleball programmes are run on tennis courts, where are we supposed to conduct ours?” Hafidz questioned.
Hafidz also expressed concern over similar instances at the federal level, where tennis facilities in Putrajaya have been used for non-tennis events like the KBS Masters Games.
“Tennis courts should be used exclusively for tennis,” he asserted, adding that while refurbishing infrastructure for tennis is welcome, it should not come at the sport’s expense.
Malaysia currently has over 160 pickleball courts, with most located in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Ipoh, and Miri.
KL City Pickleball at Zebra Square, Kuala Lumpur, is one of the most popular venues, featuring four well-maintained courts, showers, toilets, F&B outlets, and parking facilities. — November 24, 2024