Association to promote pickleball in Johor

Rajasegram (left) and his committee members meeting with Mohd Hairi (second left) to promote pickleball in the state.

PICKLEBALL is fast gaining popularity in Johor.

The sport resembling tennis and table tennis originated in the US back in the 1960s.

Johor Pickleball Association (JPA) president S. Rajasegram said there were many pickleball enthusiasts playing the sport for leisure in the state.

“JPA was officially registered with the Malaysia Sports Commissioner on June 7.

The Johor Pickleball Association’s development programme attracted mostly teachers.

“As the official body for the sport in Johor, we are organising coaching and technical courses including future competitions to grow pickleball in the state.”

He said the association was also working closely with the Malaysia Pickleball Association (MPA) as well.

Rajasegram added that the association, together with cooperation from state Youth and Sports Department, organised a pickleball development programme at Johor Youth and Sports Complex in Johor Baru last month.

He said 55 people, mostly teachers, took part in the development programme.

“The game is played using a paddle, similar to the ones used in table tennis but bigger in size, to hit a ball.

“Pickleball is played on a court like tennis and the game can be played outdoors or indoors,” he said.

Rajasegram also said the association had a meeting with state youth, sports, entrepreneur development and cooperatives committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah on promoting pickleball on a bigger platform.

“With cooperation and support from the Johor Youth and Sports Department, state Education Department and other relevant stakeholders, we are planning to launch pickleball as part of state’s community sports programme.

“We are also working closely with a group of players based in Johor Baru to promote and develop the sport,” he said.

“We are helping to form pickleball associations at each district in Johor.

“We must have a proper development programme for pickleball to nurture future under-21 players.

“JPA wants to take the lead in developing the sport to a higher level and hopefully, pickleball will be listed among the sports for future Malaysia Games (Sukma),” he added.

Those wanting to learn to play pickleball can call 012-248 0111 (JPA deputy president M. Suman), 013-771 0568 (JPA coaching and technical committee chairman Ayob Ibrahim) or 019-465 4557 (Johor Youth and Sports Department).