Petaling Jaya, Malaysia – The inaugural Asia Pickleball Summit 2025, held at the One World Hotel on July 16–17, marked a historic milestone for the sport’s growth across the continent. With over 500 attendees, 28 global speakers, and representatives from 14 countries, the summit brought together visionaries, athletes, coaches, and investors to map out pickleball’s explosive potential in Asia and beyond.
Day 1: Charting the Course for Asian Pickleball
The summit kicked off with a keynote from YB Dr. Kelvin Yii, Political Secretary to Malaysia’s Minister of Human Resources. He championed pickleball as a driver of youth empowerment, community wellness, and grassroots innovation.
Setting the tone for the future, Steve Kuhn, founder of DUPR and Major League Pickleball (MLP), delivered a powerful address on Asia’s rising role in the global pickleball movement. “Asia isn’t following the wave. It’s creating its own,” Kuhn remarked, urging collaboration between countries, leagues, and organizations.
The day unfolded with expert sessions on building sustainable pickleball ecosystems:
- Josh Jenkins (Racketpro) mapped out youth training pipelines to shape the region’s next champions.
- Tony (Reclub) spotlighted social sports as the future of community-driven recreation.
- Syed Muhammad (Gleneagles Hospital) discussed the growing demand for sports physiotherapy in high-intensity play.
- Seymour Rifkind (IPTPA) challenged traditional coaching methods and advocated for standardized training systems.
- Connor Nguyen, a serial sports entrepreneur, emphasized monetizing pickleball through smart business models.
- Shaun Lim (Excelsports) broke down the science of court construction and shared how certified courts can improve safety and performance.
Afternoon panels zoomed in on regional growth, sponsorship in emerging markets, and women’s leadership in pickleball. Speakers like Alex Yuen, Shere Tsai, Rana Fakhar, Neem Shamsuddin, Jessica Vo, and Mo Ammarita offered diverse perspectives and on-the-ground insights.
Day 2: Technology, Policy, and Cross-Border Collaboration
The second day surged forward with future-forward themes that explored tech innovation, league development, and community strategies:
- Dylan Damsma (Baseline) explored how AI, data analytics, and technology can transform the pickleball experience.
- Arvind Prabhoo (IPF, AIPA) spoke passionately about uniting Asia through a shared pickleball vision.
- Jin Tan (ReSkills) presented a model for integrating pickleball into school curriculums as part of holistic education.
Malaysia’s Minister of Youth & Sports, YB Hannah Yeoh, delivered a powerful closing speech. She highlighted pickleball’s inclusivity and potential for national impact, and outlined government support strategies including tax incentives and official sport gazetting.
The afternoon lineup featured deep dives into equipment and league development:
- Raymond H’ng (AFA) and Rafael Filippini (Gearbox) unpacked the science behind Gen 5 paddle technology.
- Dr. Sunil Peshane (IPF) emphasized the importance of rigorous equipment testing to uphold global standards.
- Gaurav Natekar (WBPL) showcased how player-first league design can drive fan engagement and commercial success.
Panels focused on investment, club operations, and Asia’s sports business evolution. Leading voices such as Mizal Ghazali, Sam Shafie, Chen Chow, Vincent Tran, Peter Seow, and Han Byul Jang bridged the gap between sport and entrepreneurship.
Asia Pickleball Summit 2025: Igniting Asia’s Pickleball Movement
The Asia Pickleball Summit 2025 wasn’t just a conference. It was a movement in the making. For two days, ideas collided, partnerships formed, and a new era of pickleball was born. It is rooted in community, innovation, and collaboration.
With the buzz already spreading and future editions in development, Asia is poised to become a global powerhouse in pickleball. What comes next? Expect youth development programs, tech-integrated training, cross-border tournaments, and business opportunities that will shape the next decade of pickleball.
The summit marked a pivotal moment for pickleball in Asia, uniting leaders to accelerate the sport’s regional development.
