Several DBKL-managed community halls are now equipped with pickleball courts for rent at affordable rates. — Courtesy photo
PICKLEBALL enthusiasts can now play at public community and multipurpose halls in Kuala Lumpur.
Pickleball courts have been set up at halls managed by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and can be rented at affordable rates, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
She said private pickleball court rentals typically cost about RM70.
DBKL has set the rates at RM40 per hour for closed courts and RM25 per hour for open courts.
“This is a more affordable rate and it could encourage more people to participate.
“We are not here just to promote pickleball. As a government, we recognise growing interest in the sport.
“If this is what people are actively seeking, we will do our best to provide access to the necessary facilities,” she said after launching the “Jom Pickleball” event in Kuala Lumpur.
Yeoh said the ministry has received numerous requests for more pickleball facilities.
“We are happy that a local authority like DBKL has been one of the first to respond quickly.”
The Segambut MP said two halls have been made available for the sport in her constituency.
“We want to ensure that every government facility is used by the people,” she said.
Regarding affordability, Yeoh hoped rental could be further reduced.
She said as more facilities became available, rental charges would naturally decrease.
She also said the ministry had been in discussions with Tenaga Nasional Bhd to further reduce electricity charges for sports facilities.
Open courts for pickleball have been set up at Pusat Komuniti Bukit Damansara, Pusat Komuniti Sentul Perdana, Dewan Serbaguna Cheras Baru, Dewan Serbaguna Fasa 1E and Dewan Serbaguna Taman Maluri.
Closed courts are located at Dewan Serbaguna Setiawangsa, Dewan Serbaguna Seksyen 4 Wangsa Maju, Dewan Serbaguna Sri Endah, Dewan Serbaguna Kampung Baru, Dewan Serbaguna Taman Bunga Raya, Kompleks Sukan Bangsar, Pusat Komuniti Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Akademi Badminton Cheras.
