As pickleball continues its rapid rise across Asia, globally recognized coach education organization RPO (RacketPro Organization) has officially launched the “RacketPro APAC Pickleball Tour 2026,” a major regional initiative spanning Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and other APAC countries.
The tour aims to elevate coaching standards, competitive development, and community growth throughout Asia.
RPO has long been recognised as the “Gold Standard” in international pickleball coach certification and education. Its system focuses not only on technical excellence, but also on leadership development, tactical understanding, career advancement, and long-term community building — to develop professional coaches capable of driving sustainable growth within the sport.
RPO APAC MD Connor Nguyen said that Malaysia has a fantastic following for the sport, and some of the facilities they have seen in the country are first-class.
"It has been an amazing tour for us. The facilities we saw here were just high-class. And the commitment and dedication that we have seen is simply amazing," said Nguyen. "I believe, in this region (South-East Asia), Vietnam and Malaysia are very far ahead of the others when it comes to the following and development of the game."
Meanwhile, RPO Global Technical Director Collin Johns added that many countries, especially Malaysia and Vietnam, have a great potential to become frontrunners in international tournaments in the future.
"The setup is very good, and they are also pushing for many coaches to guide the players. That will definitely elevate their players' performance in tournaments. Pickleball is growing very fast in the world, and I believe countries Malaysia and Vietnam will play a very big part in the sport."
Both Nguyen and Johns also believe that the rapid development of pickleball will see the sport being included in the Olympics in the future.
"That is the aim, and I believe the top officials of the sports are moving in that direction," said Nguyen.
As for the “RacketPro APAC Pickleball Tour 2026” event, it represents one of RPO’s largest regional development initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region.
Covering Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, the tour incorporates the RPO COEBRA Intensity Program to provide world-class learning opportunities for coaches, athletes, and pickleball communities across Asia.
As part of the initiative, RPO will conduct an intensive four-week COEBRA program in Vietnam, bringing together coaches from multiple countries for high-level training and development.
The COEBRA program emphasizes the “Alpha Agile” mindset, equipping coaches with stronger leadership capabilities, encouraging decisive action, and nurturing impactful leaders who can contribute to the growth of pickleball within their respective countries.
Malaysia Tour Successfully Completed Across Multiple States
The “RacketPro APAC Pickleball Tour 2026 – Malaysia Leg” was conducted across the following nationwide schedule:
• May 14–16: RPO Clinic at PPA KL Open – Setia Alam
• May 18: Penang RPO Coach Training Workshop
• May 20: Sarawak RPO Coach Training Workshop & Community Meet-and-Greet
• May 22: Sabah RPO Coach Training Workshop
• May 24: Kuala Lumpur [MEGA] RPO Level 1 Workshop
The Malaysia tour integrated four core objectives — professional training, coach certification, career advancement, and community building — establishing itself as one of the most influential pickleball education tours in Asia.
As the signature highlight of the Malaysia Tour, the “First-Ever RPO APAC MEGA Workshop” served not only as a large-scale education and networking platform, but also as a reflection of RPO’s long-term commitment to developing Malaysia’s coaching ecosystem.
The Alumni Gathering was specifically designed to foster a highly connected coaching community, enabling RPO coaches and alumni from Kuala Lumpur and across Malaysia to continue learning, collaborating, and collectively leading the growth of pickleball nationwide.
“This is not our first alumni gathering in Kuala Lumpur. Following the first-ever Mega Workshop, this gathering demonstrates that we not only train and onboard new members, but also continue to support and grow alongside our existing community,” said the organizers.
RPO believes that sustainable growth in the sport is driven not only by elite tournaments or professional athletes, but also by strong coaching networks capable of developing future generations of players and communities.
The tour was led by an internationally recognized lineup of professional educators and clinicians, including:
Collin Johns: Internationally renowned professional pickleball player and educator Collin Johns recently captured the Men’s Doubles Championship title at the PPA Kuala Lumpur Open, further demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest professional level. Beyond his achievements on court, Collin Johns has dedicated significant efforts toward advancing global coach education systems by combining elite playing experience with world-class teaching expertise.
Connor Nguyen: Connor Nguyen has played a pivotal role in advancing pickleball across Asia by actively developing regional coaching systems and international collaboration networks, making him a central figure in RPO’s APAC expansion strategy.
After pioneering professional basketball development in Vietnam through founding the country’s first professional basketball team, Saigon Heat, and launching the Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA), Connor has now returned to his roots in racket sports with a strong focus on growing pickleball throughout the APAC region through RacketPro APAC.
With leadership experience spanning professional leagues, national team programs, and elite athlete development, Connor is widely recognized for building impactful sports ecosystems and developing high-performance athletes at both collegiate and professional levels.
Aron Ong: RPO COEBRA Coach & Clinician: As a key leader within the RPO COEBRA high-intensity training system, Aron Ong specializes in competitive player development, real-game application, and high-efficiency coaching methodologies for athletes and coaches across Asia.
Positioning Malaysia at the Centre of Asia’s Pickleball Future
With pickleball experiencing rapid growth throughout Asia, RPO aims to use the “RacketPro APAC Pickleball Tour 2026 – Malaysia Leg” to further strengthen international coaching systems, enhance regional collaboration, and cultivate more internationally competitive coaches and athletes across the region.
RPO emphasized that Malaysia is not only a key stop within the APAC Tour but is also expected to play an increasingly influential role in shaping the future of pickleball in Asia.
The “RacketPro APAC Pickleball Tour 2026” represents more than just a regional tour — it is a long-term mission dedicated to driving the sustainable growth of pickleball throughout Asia.
Upcoming RPO APAC Pickleball Tour 2026 Dates & Locations
* Vietnam Tour: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang – June 2026
* Japan Tour: Tokyo & Osaka – July 2026
* Singapore Tour – July 2026
* Philippines Tour: Manila, Davao, Cebu – July to August 2026
* China Tour: Shenzhen – August 2026
