New RM800,000 pickleball, padel court for Kelana Jaya

A FUTSAL court in SS7, Kelana Jaya in Selangor, will soon be transformed into an RM800,000 court for pickleball and padel, under a public-private partnership project by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon said the agreement allowed a private firm to construct and run the facility for 21 years.

“We have inked an agreement where the firm builds and manages the facility, while MBPJ will rent out the courts,” he said.

MBPJ Zone 22 councillor Mohamed Hamka Mohamed Jumah said construction was expected to take four months.

“Once the fixtures and old concrete are removed, workers will use compacted gravel to create a new suitable surface,” he said.

He added that the new racquet court would replace the underutilised futsal court.

“Work will be done quickly as youths are eager to use the court,” said Mohamed Hamka.

“Once construction is complete, the final steps will include court markings, installing nets and poles as well as setting up anti-glare lighting for optimal playing conditions,” he added.

Pickleball is a cross between tennis, table-tennis and badminton, while padel is fast-paced and is often described as a mix between tennis and squash.

Both sports can be played with either two or four players.

Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, when presenting the state’s 2025 Budget, announced that pickleball would be introduced as a medal sport at the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma).

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