The Franklin Malaysia Pro Team has added Malaysian pickleball star Jimmy Liong to its roster of athletes. Liong’s signing was announced in Franklin Malaysia’s Christmas party and product unveiling held on Monday.
Liong, considered as one of Malaysia’s top pickleball players, was part of the inaugural UPA Asia Trailblazers Programme Class of 2025, along with notable names like compatriot Mia Athilla, Vietnam’s Ken Tam, Japan’s Mayu Ito, China’s Yufei Long, and Macau’s Marco Leung. Now, he is also Franklin Malaysia’s first professional signing in Asia.
A major part of the winning team in the recently held Cakenis Cup Pickleball Malaysia 2025, Liong has steadily risen in the pickleball ranks and is known for his athleticism and consistency. He is also notable for having a tireless work ethic, which has helped him climb up Malaysia’s pickleball tiers. Through this steady rise and the stardom that goes with it, Jimmy Liong has remained grounded and humble as ever, making him the perfect brand ambassador for Franklin Malaysia.
Liong was previously affiliated with global pickleball brand Facolos. But athlete and brand parted ways last November, paving the way for the Malaysian star to become a pickleball free agent so to speak. Of course, a player of Jimmy Liong’s calibre and charisma won’t remain unsigned for too long, and true enough, he has found a new home with Franklin Malaysia.
Franklin Malaysia may be a new partner, but the goal for Jimmy Liong remains the same: to grow pickleball and to be someone to whom Malaysia’s new generation of players can look up. If anything, that makes Franklin Malaysia and Jimmy Liong a match made in heaven.
