THE National Youth and Sports Department (JBSN) has officially recognised digital dodgeball as a new sport this year.
JBSN Sports Promotion and Development Branch deputy director Ahmad Syammeil Mohamad Karim said digital dodgeball was chosen as one of two new sports introduced for the year, with the other being floorball.
“Previously, we had a few series of pitching for new sports and had decided on these two.
“We will work together with Malaysia Association of Dodgeball (MAD) and Malaysia Floorball Association to promote the sports,” he said in a press conference at the Sunway Youth Dodgeball 2026 Closing Ceremony at Sunway Velocity, Kuala Lumpur today.
Ahmad Syammeil hoped digital dodgeball and floorball could gain traction like pickleball, which was previously under the new sport initiative.
“Pickleball gained traction and grew significantly over the years. We hope the same can be achieved by digital dodgeball and floorball,” he said.
MAD president Datuk V. Radhakrishnan would like to promote the sport to the Under-12 and Under-15 in seven states.
“Digital dodgeball is a combination of interactive augmented reality (AR) and physical fitness.
“The sport is already being played in universities and colleges and we would like to introduce it to younger players.
“We will roll out this format of digital dodgeball in Penang, Perak, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Negri Sembilan and Selangor,” he said.
In digital dodgeball, players wear AR headsets and motion sensors on their wrists to compete in fast-paced, two-player team matches.
Players will try to hit opponents by shooting digital balls.
