Gazetted, Tax-Smart & Inclusive Malaysia’s Pickleball Revolution
Andrew LeeMalaysia’s journey in embracing pickleball as a rising sport reached a new milestone at the recently concluded Asia Pickleball Summit, with YB Hannah Yeoh, Minister of Youth and Sports (KBS), delivering a forward-thinking address that spotlighted the government’s key actions and ambitions.
“One of the first things we did in 2023 was to gazette pickleball as a sport,” YB Hannah shared. With that move, Malaysia doubled its list of officially gazetted sports from 51 to 103.
But with that growth, comes the challenge of stretching limited government funding across more associations. “There’s a price to pay to be inclusive,” she said, referring to the smaller pool of funds now shared across a wider sporting ecosystem.
A Game Changer: Tax Incentives for Sports Training
In 2024, the government introduced a RM1,000 tax deduction for sports, and in 2025 expanded it to include sports training for parents of taxpayers. YB Hannah called this a “game changer,” encouraging Malaysians to invest in health through movement, not just treatment.
This move isn’t just financial, it’s social. It allows working adults to fund sports training for their parents, opening the door to more intergenerational activities, and positioning pickleball as a sport for all ages.
Another major stride is the Masters Games - a new category of tournaments aimed at older adults. Unlike one-off events, these competitions encourage ongoing training and healthier lifestyles among retirees.
Special guests of honor: YB Hannah Yeoh (@hannahyeoh), Minister of Youth and Sports, YB Dr Kelvin Yii (@kelvinyii) with AFA, Reskills, AsiaPickleballTV representatives.
Pickleball was one of just 12 sports included in the inaugural edition, marking a significant step in broadening participation.
Business Interest, Social Value, Don’t Fight Amongst Yourselves
What stood out most from the Summit was the self-driven momentum of the pickleball community. The Summit itself was held without government funding, a clear signal that private-sector interest is growing.
YB Hannah acknowledged this with optimism but also a cautionary note: with more visibility and investment, the industry and associations must avoid internal conflicts that have hindered other sports. Cooperation and clarity are key to long-term sustainability.
With 35,000+ monthly court bookings now reported back in Apr via Courtsite, the Minister emphasized the importance of data to drive further support. She urged players, coaches, and organizers to keep tracking growth to back future policy and investment decisions.
Closing her remarks, YB Hannah encouraged organizers to retain the Summit in Kuala Lumpur despite international interest. “Malaysia should remain the heart of pickleball in Asia,” she emphasized.
