The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), through a public-private partnership project, will be building an RM800,000 pickleball and padel venue right at Kelana Jaya in Selangor, one of Malaysia’s undisputed pickleball hotspots.

The new courts will rise on the former futsal court in SS7, which has become underutilised, according to MBPJ Zone 22 councillor Mohamed Hamka Mohamed Jumah. The public-private partnership deal inked by the MBPJ is looking to change that by tapping on the soaring popularity of pickleball and the steady rise of padel.

“We have inked an agreement where the firm builds and manages the facility, while MBPJ will rent out the courts,” the mayor told The Star.

Per the agreement, the unnamed private firm will be tasked to construct the pickleball and padel courts and will then be able to operate the facility for 21 years. The facility, according to Councillor Jumah, will take about four months—meaning the new courts will potentially be operational by December of this year.

“Once the fixtures and old concrete are removed, workers will use compacted gravel to create a new suitable surface,” Councillor Jumah said. “Work will be done quickly as youths are eager to use the court… 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.”

Pickleball has exploded in Malaysia over the past couple of years. It has become so popular, in fact, that many have clamoured that it be included as one of the sports in the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma). It is still unclear if the sport will, indeed, be lined up in Malaysia’s annual games, but Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said it would be when he presented the state’s 2025 Budget.

If pickleball really will be included in Sukma next year, then the soon-to-be-opened courts in SS7 in Kelana Jaya will be very timely for sure.