Pickleball May Be Featured As Demonstration Sport At SUKMA Selangor 2026

SHAH ALAM, June 19 (Bernama) -- Pickleball is not among the nine proposed additional sports, but may be included as one of the demonstration sports at the 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Selangor.

Selangor State Executive Councillor for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi said not all states have been widely exposed to the sport, which combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis.

According to him, only a few states — such as Selangor, Sarawak, Perak and Penang — currently have the necessary infrastructure and more active participation in the sport.

“As for other states, we are not certain whether they have adequate facilities or exposure,” he said during a media engagement session with the SUKMA and Para SUKMA 2026 Secretariat here today.

Previously, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari had expressed his intention in November to feature pickleball in this edition of SUKMA, in line with the sport’s growing popularity at the national level.

Besides pickleball, Mohd Najwan also shared that Chinese chess (xiangqi) is being considered as one of the demonstration sports to be introduced at the meet.

Commenting further, Mohd Najwan — who is also Chairman of the SUKMA 2026 Executive Committee — said that the selection of five out of the nine proposed additional sports will be finalised after the SUKMA 2026 Supreme Committee Meeting, which will be chaired by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh at the end of next month.

He said the selection will be made fairly, taking into account the capabilities of all states to field teams.

Among the nine sports being considered to be shortlisted as five additional sports in SUKMA 2026 are e-sports, boxing, chess, cricket, softball, kabaddi and silambam.

Commenting on preparations for SUKMA 2026, Mohd Najwan reported that readiness has reached about 40 per cent, with the main focus on upgrading existing facilities and venues.

Venues currently undergoing upgrades include the Darul Ehsan Aquatic Centre in Shah Alam, the Subang Shooting Range, and the Pandamaran Hockey Stadium in Klang.

The total cost of hosting SUKMA 2026 is estimated at RM200 million.

-- BERNAMA