KUCHING: Kuching MP Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen has been appointed as one of the advisors to the Malaysia Pickleball Association (MPA), a role he said reflects his commitment to promoting the sport nationwide, particularly at the grassroots level.
The appointment was presented by MPA Committee Members and State Association representatives, led by Acting President Delima Ibrahim. In this role, Yii will advise on governance, structural frameworks, and strategic policies to ensure the sport aligns with international standards and achieves sustainable growth.
Yii highlighted that MPA has been working with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and other agencies to integrate pickleball into Malaysia’s sports ecosystem. The long-term vision is to establish pickleball as a mainstream sport and secure its inclusion in national and international competitions, creating new medal opportunities for Malaysia.
“Pickleball is no longer just a trend it is a fast-growing sport that Malaysians are embracing at record levels. The demand is clear, and our focus will be on building the foundation for long-term success,” Yii said.
According to MPA, the sport has seen rapid growth in recent months. In the Klang Valley, over 40,000 court bookings were recorded monthly in the first quarter of 2025, while the Reclub app reported more than 150,000 active weekly players nationwide excluding those not registered on the app.
Yii said these figures highlight the urgent need to expand access to pickleball at the grassroots level through structured development and talent identification pathways.
By Connie Chieng