Malaysia Gears Up for PCL Asia Grand Finals: Full Highlights from the Official Press Conference
Sureena Shree Chandrasekar
The stage was set at ReSkills Hub, as the Malaysian pickleball community gathered to celebrate the official launch of PCL Asia Season 1. The event was a rallying point for local clubs, organizers, sponsors, and fans with a clear message from its visionary leaders: this is just the beginning.
Among the featured guests were Steve Kuhn, founder of Major League Pickleball (MLP) and Dreamland, and Alex Yuen, President of Ramsports and PCL Asia co-organizer.
Both shared compelling perspectives on the league's community-focused vision, the future of the sport in Asia, and how Malaysia is emerging as one of the continent’s fastest-growing pickleball hubs.
PCL Asia: A League for the People
Unlike traditional pro circuits, the Pickleball Club League (PCL) is purpose-built for amateur and social players. The league’s structure enables players with no prior podium finishes in major open tournaments to represent their cities in a team format.
This year, four Malaysian cities - Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ipoh, and Johor Bahru, will each host qualifiers. The top team from each city will converge in Kuala Lumpur on July 25th for the National Finals.
The winner will then represent Malaysia at the PCL Asia Grand Final, hosted at the Ramsports Stadium in Shenzhen, China from August 9th to 10th.
Each team consists of four to six players, including two men and two women. Matches are played in men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and two mixed doubles, with ties broken by a “dreambreaker” round, a rotating singles showdown.
Steve Kuhn: “It’s About Joy, Not Just Medals”
Steve Kuhn’s keynote was a standout moment. Known globally for founding Major League Pickleball and advocating for “40 by 30” which is a goal to reach 40 million pickleball players in the U.S. by 2030, Kuhn now has his eyes on Asia.
“When I first played pickleball in 2018, I knew it was going to be bigger than tennis. Everyone thought I was crazy, but look at where we are now. In 2024, we hit 40 million players in the U.S., and now we’re aiming for 100 million worldwide by 2030 and I believe over half of that will come from Asia.”
During the Q&A panel, Kuhn emphasized that PCL Asia is not meant to be a pro league, at least not yet.
“This is a league built for joy. It’s your club versus another club. It’s your friends cheering you on. You don’t need to be a 5.5 player to feel what it means to compete. That kind of energy brings people in. That’s what we want to scale.”
He also highlighted the strength of Malaysia’s infrastructure.
“I’ve never seen so many good pickleball facilities so close together in a single city like I did in Kuala Lumpur. It’s incredible and you’re just getting started.”
Alex Yuen: “Asia Is Catching Up - Fast”
President of Ramsports and co-founder of PCL Asia, Alex Yuen shared how quickly pickleball is accelerating in China and beyond.
“When I first heard about pickleball just 14 months ago, I had no idea what it was. My wife and I took a lesson, and by the end of that session, I knew this sport was different. It was the first time we both enjoyed doing something together.”
Since that first paddle swing, Yuen has helped build Ramsports into a premier pickleball brand in China, with flagship venues and partnerships across Southeast Asia. At the press conference, he unveiled Ramsports' plans to build a 26-court indoor complex in Hainan and launch a professional training academy in Shenzhen within the next two months.
During the Q&A session, Yuen also addressed the need for high-performance development in Asia:
“Right now, what we’re lacking in this region is structured, professional-level coaching. So Ramsports is stepping in to fill that gap. We’re planning monthly clinics in Malaysia starting in August, bringing over certified coaches to run consistent camps for competitive players.”
Live Streaming, Tech and Tournament Logistics
The tournament will be powered by Sport We Play, Malaysia’s official tournament technology partner. Sport Replay will provide:
- Live scoring
- Real-time livestreams of all matches
- A first-of-its-kind line-calling camera system for Malaysian tournaments
This integration allows all four city qualifiers to take place simultaneously across Malaysia, culminating in a unified national bracket and a fully digital fan experience.
Malaysia’s Moment
Coach Ken and Mr. Bing, the local organizing team behind PCL Malaysia, closed the session with a clear vision: give amateur players a serious platform to compete and grow while building a national community in the process.
“What we’re doing is building a community first, not a product. We want every Malaysian, no matter your background, to feel they can be part of something bigger,” said Ken.
They also confirmed long-term plans to bring pickleball into local schools and state-level education programs, ensuring the sport’s sustainability for future generations.
“We want every kid to eventually hold a paddle. That’s the dream. And if Malaysia sends a team to Shenzhen, we want them to do more than just show up, we want them to win.”
Tournament Structure and Grand Prize
- City Qualifiers: KL, Penang, Ipoh, Johor
- Finals: July 25, Kuala Lumpur
- Team Composition: 2 men, 2 women, 1 male reserve, 1 female reserve
- Scoring: Sudden death 21-point games
- Tiebreaker: Dreambreaker singles format
- National Champion Prize: RM3,300 + medals
- USD 5,000 cash prize + entry to the PCL Asia Grand Final at Ramsports Stadium
Final Words from the Panel
The final question of the evening was perhaps the most meaningful: What do you hope players gain from this tournament?
Kuhn answered:
“I hope they walk away with joy. With pride. With community. If they win, great. If not, they’ve already won by being part of something that uplifts the sport.”
Join the Movement
Registration closes June 29th. Teams must consist of Malaysian residents, with no podium finishes in open divisions, and a DUPR rating below 5.0.
Submit your application through your local city station or scan the QR codes available at participating courts.
See You in Shenzhen
The champion team will represent Malaysia at the PCL Asia Grand Final on August 9 and 10 at Ramsports Stadium, a top-tier facility with pro flooring, international coaches, and elite training equipment.
As Tournament Director Miss Read said during her virtual walkthrough of the venue:
"Only the best will play on this court. I hope the best of Malaysia is ready."
PCL Asia Season 1 is live. Malaysia, this is your moment.
