Photo Credits to: Sports Empire MY
KIDSLYMPIC will officially introduce pickleball as a sports category for its 2026 edition, widening opportunities for Malaysian children to engage with an emerging global sport. The move is formalized through a collaboration with pickleball ecosystem company Sports Empire Malaysia, aligning with Kidslympic’s mission to build the country’s largest youth sports ecosystem.
From the Co-Founder
Kidslympic co-founder and Olympic silver medalist Goh Liu Ying said the inclusion aligns with the event’s long-term agenda to place Malaysian children and youths at the forefront of the sport’s rapid global growth.
“Kidslympic was created to nurture a love for sports and pickleball is a perfect addition to this vision. It is fun, inclusive and easy for children to learn, but most importantly, it builds self-confidence. I believe pickleball will become one of the most exciting entry-level sports for children and Kidslympic is proud to lead this movement,” she said.
Photo Credits to: Sports Empire MY
Pathway for Ages Four–Twelve
A signed Memorandum of Understanding enables children aged four to twelve to explore pickleball, helping them build confidence while cultivating an active lifestyle from an early age.
Pickleball’s simple equipment and compact court make it approachable for first-time players and adaptable for schools, clubs, and community venues. For families, it offers a gentle learning curve and a sport kids and adults can share—key ingredients for sustained participation.
Pickleball in Malaysia
Across Malaysia and the wider region, pickleball has moved from curiosity to community pastime in a short span, propelled by its accessibility and social feel. By bringing the sport under the Kidslympic banner, Malaysia situates youth participation within a nationally visible platform—one that can signal to schools, clubs, and local councils that children’s entry pathways merit space, equipment, and coaching support.
