Asia Pickleball Summit 2.0 (APS 2.0) concluded successfully after a landmark two-day summit held at Hextar World Exhibition Hall, Empire City, Malaysia. The event attracted approximately 1,500 participants, bringing together key stakeholders from the global pickleball ecosystem.
Malaysia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, was unable to attend due to prior commitments and was represented by the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports (KBS), Mordi Bimol.
In his address, Mordi Bimol said the summit would benefit Malaysia’s pickleball industry and stakeholders while strengthening the nation’s relationship with the international pickleball community through knowledge exchange and collaboration.
"This is indeed a great day for pickleball. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the organisers - ReSkills, AFA, and Asia Pickleball TV - for bringing together such an impressive gathering of leaders, innovators, and passionate advocates of this fast‑growing sport," said Bimol in his speech.
"Over the past few years, pickleball has transformed from a niche recreational activity into one of the fastest‑growing sports in Asia and around the world. The sport has experienced extraordinary growth since late 2024, capturing the imagination of millions of players, entrepreneurs, and sports enthusiasts across the region."
" This rapid rise is not just about more people picking up paddles. It reflects a deeper shift — a shift towards accessible, inclusive, community‑driven sports that bring people together across age, background, and skill level."
He also noted that the summit reflects the growing recognition of pickleball at the highest levels of Malaysian sports governance and demonstrates the government’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive sports ecosystem.
His participation also signalled a pivotal moment where grassroots momentum meets national policy, and where Asia’s pickleball community steps firmly onto the world stage.
ReSkills Founder and CEO Jin Tan said pickleball has experienced extraordinary growth across Asia and the world since late 2024, capturing the imagination of millions of players, entrepreneurs, and sports enthusiasts alike.
Jin also thanked title sponsors LBS Bina and the Group Executive Chairman Tan Sri Lim Hock San for their support of the event and for ensuring the success of the summit.
“APS 2.0 is the answer to what comes next — a high-level platform designed not just to celebrate the sport’s momentum, but to secure its long-term, scalable future.
“The summit brings together brand owners, federation leaders, court operators, professional players, and investors from across the globe under one roof to share expertise, real-world insights, and forge cross-border collaborations that will drive pickleball’s growth across Asia for years to come.
“Anchored in a shared mission to champion the growth of pickleball across Asia, APS 2.0 supports players, empowers brands, and builds a strong, connected pickleball community,” he said.
Meanwhile, Asia Pickleball Summit 2.0 Organising Chairperson Ken Lim said approximately 1,500 participants attended the summit to learn from global pickleball trends and explore how these developments can be integrated into Malaysia’s local pickleball ecosystem.
He highlighted that APS 2.0 delivered “2 Days. 3 Experiences.” through a combination of Conference Talks, Exhibition Expo and Networking Gameplay.
The summit featured representatives from 14 countries, more than 40 international speakers, and 18 panels and talks covering policy, business, strategy, and performance. The event also showcased 26 exhibition booths featuring brands, technology, equipment, facilities, and media organisations.
In addition, participants enjoyed unlimited networking gameplay sessions, providing opportunities to engage directly with industry leaders and professionals on court.
“Next year, we will integrate even more resources and partnerships to make the Asia Pickleball Summit 3.0 even better. We also hope to elevate the development of pickleball in Malaysia further and help the world discover Malaysia as a growing hub for the sport,” he said.
For the record, the Asia Pickleball Summit (APS) was created to champion the growth of pickleball across Asia by bringing together athletes, industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts. APS also provides unparalleled opportunities for learning, networking, and business development through high-impact knowledge sharing and curated exhibitions. As pickleball continues to gain popularity worldwide, APS helps Asia take the lead by supporting players, growing brands, and building a strong, connected pickleball community.
