PENANG is working closely with the Penang Pickleball Association (PPA) and local communities to develop the sport.
State youth and sports committee chairman Daniel Gooi said Penang was one of the earliest to include the association in the State Sports Council.
“This has enabled pickleball to secure funding to aid its development.
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“The state is working closely with PPA to build a conducive ecosystem, from grassroots programmes to technical development,” he said.
Gooi is hoping for pickleball to be included on the list of sports under the Malaysia Games (Sukma).
He added that for the time being, the sport has been classified as a non-Sukma sport, with the Youth and Sports Ministry planning a national tournament.
“From there, the state hopes to further develop the sport at the grassroots level, with the aim for it to become one of the sports featured at Sukma.”
Gooi said several public courts, such as those at City Park, Seri Delima on the island and Jawi on the mainland, were turned into community courts.
He said the Nibong Tebal Arena, managed by the State Stadium Board, also offered pickleball courts.
“The growth of the sport is organic, with many courts being developed by the private sector as well,” he said.
“We are not short of pickleball courts in Penang with some offering special rates or schemes for students during off-peak hours in an attempt to encourage their participation.
“Penang’s development of a state team is also in progress.” — By LO TERN CHERN
