Selangor: The Selangor State Government has launched the Selangor State Pickleball Sports Development Programme, known as Picklespark 2026/2027, with a focus on engaging school students to promote and empower the sport at the grassroots level.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi announced that the initiative would be rolled out in five zones across the state over the next 12 months. This strategic plan aims to introduce pickleball as a structured community development activity, particularly targeting schools. He emphasized the sport's widespread growth among various societal levels but noted the lack of a systematic approach for students and teachers at educational institutions.
Mohd Najwan highlighted the importance of collaboration with the State Education Department to introduce pickleball in schools, ensuring that students receive early exposure to the sport. The programme, launched at the Pickleball Playground on Jalan Padang Jawa, is supported by the Faculty of Sports Science at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), the Selangor State Sports Council (MSN), and PKNS Real Estate Sdn. Bhd. (PREC).
The state government has allocated RM500,000 for this initiative, marking Selangor as the first state to systematically develop pickleball talent starting from the school level. The current phase targets training 100 teachers across the state in basic coaching and competition techniques to enable them to form school teams. This exposure will include game techniques and sports equipment introduction, facilitating district and state-level tournaments over the coming year.
Additionally, the programme seeks to involve 500 students aged 10 to 15 from zones equipped with court facilities. These participants will be identified for potential development into state athletes. The initiative aims to promote pickleball as an inclusive and accessible competitive sport, supporting a sustainable ecosystem aligned with promoting a healthy and active society.
Mohd Najwan drew parallels between the planned development model for pickleball and the successful growth of e-sports in Selangor, which began in 2015. The state government is optimistic that through the zone tours and organized competitions, new quality talents will emerge from Selangor's educational institutions within the next five to ten years.