Pickleball is quickly gaining traction worldwide, and Malaysia is no exception. What began as a quirky sport played on modified badminton courts, with onlookers puzzled by the low nets and unusual paddles, has now blossomed into a fully recognised sport nationwide. Today, dedicated pickleball courts, clubs, and official tournaments are popping up across Kuala Lumpur. One notable venue is PickleJam Courts in Kepong, located above the Lotus Shopping Mart on Jalan 7A/62A Bandar Menjalara. It was here, on 17th August, that the Novice Pickleball Challenge, organised by Pickle Ball Savant Melina Hwang (right of the photo), took place—a tournament aimed at welcoming newcomers to the sport. The verdict from participants and spectators? An overwhelming success!
The vision behind the tournament was to create an event that embraced new players while focusing on what truly matters in any sport: Having fun. The event’s biggest draw was the grand prize for Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles, set at an impressive RM 1,050—a record high for novice tournaments in KL. The response was immediate and enthusiastic, with registration filling up within just 24 hours! Even players above the novice level tried to secure a spot, but to no avail, as the tournament organisers were quick to identify those with higher rankings.
While the substantial grand prize was a significant motivator, the tournament had much more to offer. Participants were thrilled by the surprises arranged, thanks to the event’s exceptional organisation and the extensive network of sponsors. Players enjoyed a host of complimentary perks, including free burgers from KGB, healthy oat treats from Fara Oats, on-site massages from Reconnect Wellness between matches, and even a lucky draw with prizes like paddles, Skechers socks, pickleball balls, and more, courtesy of MyPickleball. Whether they made it to the podium or not, players left the tournament with a smile and something to take home. The generous contributions from these sponsors ensured that no one’s participation was in vain.
As for the matches themselves, the tournament was a resounding success. Referees were present for every game, ensuring smooth and fair play. The courts echoed with cheers and laughter as players aged 16 to 60 competed with passion and sportsmanship—a testament to the welcoming and positive atmosphere cultivated throughout the event. Special congratulations go to the Gold Medalist teams, ‘Vatic Noobs’ (Men’s Doubles) and ‘Dink Dynamos’ (Mixed Doubles), for their outstanding performances. With their victories, these teams have graduated from novice status and are now set to compete in higher-ranked tournaments. We wish them the best on their pickleball journeys!
With the Novice Pickleball Challenge now complete and declared a triumph, the success of the event has left many wondering what’s next. Higher-ranked players are eagerly awaiting their chance to participate in a similar event. We’ll have to stay tuned for the next ‘Pickleball Challenge,’ but if it’s anything like this recent tournament, expertly organised by Melina Hwang, we can expect even more excitement and surprises in store!
