Caught The Pickleball Fever Yet?

Good thing then that we now have a sport fever sweeping the country. We’re talking about pickleball, the game that makes the crisp, clear “pok-pok” sound you can hear from a hundred meters away. The sport is everywhere. It pops up regularly on the social media feeds that keep you glued to your screens; on Facebook, Instagram, Google, Tik-Tok. Most unexpectedly, your engagement with Facebook now makes you want to put your phone down, get out of the house, and work up a sweat. Want to stay relevant in your chat groups? Go play pickleball.

 Which is a wonder why the game took so long to catch on here. It was invented in the U.S. as long ago as 1965 by three dads as entertainment for their families, naming it after one of their pet dogs, Pickles, who would chase after and retrieve the balls. Malaysia recorded its first connection with the sport only in 2019 with an association being formed in Miri, Sarawak. However, pickleball did not capture the wider public’s interest until sometime in late 2023 when courts started opening everywhere, seemingly all at once. Did demand spur supply or did supply create demand? Possibly both.

With the benefit of hindsight it is easy to see why, once it gained exposure, the sport spread so quickly. Look at how the game was invented; it is eminently suitable for families, and by extension, social groups. Adjoining cafes promote networking. Compared with other racket/paddle games such as tennis, badminton, squash and table tennis, the skill level entry barrier to get started is relatively low. But for serious players, there is ample scope to add high levels of sophistication to their game. For proof of this, just watch the coaching videos which pop up on your phone.     

MAPEI Malaysia is contributing to the pickleball boom by offering technology in terms of know-how and coating materials for construction of first-class playing surfaces suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments. With experience gained from decades in developing sports flooring, MAPEI is well-placed to advise owners on the important considerations for building courts which give the most durable performance as well as the best playing experience for patrons.