STEPPING into the dimly lit sports hall of Heritage International School in Petaling Jaya, the air hums with anticipation and energy. Youngsters, boys and girls, looking smart in their electric blue sports T-shirts, eagerly line up, clutching paddles in their little hands, their eyes gleaming with excitement as they await their turn on the court.
Standing to the side, balls clutched in his hands, is a smiling bespectacled man, clad in that familiar orange and black of the Harimau Malaya jersey, doing his best to keep his young charges under control and in perfect line.
Somewhere on another court in the corner, I note two spirited teens — an older-looking girl in a loose burgundy top and a bespectacled boy in blue — earnestly engaged in a competitive game of pickleball, concentration etched on their faces as they navigate the court with much speed and agility.
Pickleball, a dynamic blend of tennis, badminton and table tennis, with players wielding solid paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball, is a sport rapidly gaining popularity worldwide. With its accessible rules and equipment, the game has become a phenomenon, captivating players of all ages with its blend of finesse, strategy, and camaraderie.
It's also a game that has found a new home within the halls of this school. Spearheading this movement is coach Gee Ci Long, the school's sports coordinator, an active player in the country's pickleball circuit and a passionate advocate for the game.
With a personal love for the game, a sport he fully picked up only in February this year, and a vision to nurture its growth from the grassroots level, Gee introduced this dynamic sport as an after-school curriculum in the hope of igniting a spark of enthusiasm among the young students.
His background as a former national junior tennis player and a stint in powerlifting means that the affable Selangor-born understands the transformative power of sport firsthand. "Pickleball is more than just a game to me," he emphasises, voice resonating with conviction. "It's an opportunity to nurture talent from the ground up, to instill values of perseverance, discipline, and teamwork in our students."
But of all the sports that he could have chosen to introduce to his young charges, why pickleball, I couldn't help asking, as sweat begins to trickle embarrassingly down my neck in this humid hall.
A smile crosses his face as Gee explains: "Pickleball offers a unique proposition for Malaysia. It's one of the easiest sports to learn, akin to badminton. But unlike badminton, where beginners may struggle with the no-bounce rule, pickleball provides a friendlier introduction. With its lower net and allowance for bouncing, even our youngest players can engage in the action, mastering skills like bouncing and volleying with ease."
He gestures towards the vibrant balls scattered across the court, saying: "The colourful balls are an immediate draw for the kids. They're not just attracted to the game but they're also captivated by it."
The coach's enthusiasm is palpable as he describes the introductory methods used for pickleball. "When we introduced it, we make one person throw and the other one hits. It's a hands-on, interactive way to acquaint players with the sport, fostering a sense of excitement and engagement from the get-go."
He contrasts this with the more rigid structures of badminton and tennis, where formality often takes precedence. "You can't really do that in a badminton setting," he muses, tone reflective. "And in tennis, the emphasis on professionalism can sometimes deter newcomers. But with pickleball, the equipment is accessible, the rules are straightforward, and the focus is on enjoyment and camaraderie."
PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY
Shedding some light on the school's pickleball journey and his vision for its future, Gee, the school's sports coordinator for the last five years, elaborates: "Pickleball is more than just a sport; it's a gateway to fostering teamwork, discipline, and resilience among our students. I introduced it to the curriculum because I believe in its accessibility and potential to engage students of all ages and abilities."
With unwavering support from the school administration, he has been able to equip the students with the necessary paddles and balls to kickstart their journey. Proudly, he shares that the school also paid for him to attend a coaching course recently in order to obtain his coaching certification.
The school is also fortunate to have the support of another pickleball player and enthusiast, accountant Kelvin Goh, who through his company, MyPickleball, offers access to pickleball paddles and accessories without anyone having to order from overseas.
"We started with just a handful of cheap paddles that cost us just RM20 and bought the colourful balls from Shopee to attract the children. We began with eight paddles; now we have 16. Now the students have begun to enquire how to get their own equipment because they want to continue playing outside," shares Gee, grinning broadly.
Adding, he says: "The response has been so promising that we knew we could proceed with pushing it further. Now, with the school's backing, we're expanding our equipment inventory and planning towards future tournaments and competitions."
Looking ahead, Gee envisions a thriving pickleball community within the school and beyond. "Our goal is to cultivate a love for the game among our students and provide them with opportunities to excel," he shares passionately, adding: "Through grassroots programmes and inter-school competitions, we aim to nurture the next generation of champions."
Ensuring the sustainability and expansion of its pickleball programme at the school is a top priority, adds Gee. Eyes lighting up, he shares: "At the end of the year, we're gearing up for an interschool competition that will showcase the skills and dedication of our students. It's a chance for them to test their mettle on a broader stage and demonstrate what they've honed on our courts."
But their ambitions don't just end there. Excitedly, Gee says: "For our most talented players, we're exploring avenues to secure sponsorship opportunities, which will enable them to compete in larger tournaments beyond the school grounds. It's a pathway to growth and recognition, offering a tangible reward for their hard work and commitment."
His enthusiastic words resonate with the potential that pickleball holds. "That's one of the attractions to this new sport — there's still room to produce real talents who can shine," asserts Gee, excitement evident in his voice.
His gaze travelling to the far court, where the two teens, whom I duly discover as Tanya and Rohan, are still in combative form, Gee shares proudly: "They have tennis and badminton backgrounds respectively, but lately they've been playing a lot of pickleball because they recognise that they're good at it. There are plans for us to send them out for tournaments outside so they can get more exposure. We just need to look for sponsorships."
PASSION AND DETERMINATION
In the broader context of Malaysian sports, Gee sees the game as a beacon of potential — a sport that's poised to bridge the gap between grassroots enthusiasm and professional excellence.
His comments on the adult pickleball scene underscore the importance of nurturing talent from a young age. "In East Malaysia, where the game was originally introduced, there's definitely a thriving tournament scene and pickleball programmes at the grassroots thriving with remarkable activity. In Peninsular Malaysia, such initiatives are a little scarce and we seem to be more focused on social play, " he muses, eyes thoughtful under his dark-rimmed glasses.
Adding, Gee says: "Given the chance, I'd gladly expose our students to these opportunities for growth and learning. It's not just about playing, but it's also about fostering a competitive spirit. Yet, we haven't seen competitions tailored to the younger age groups — no under-12, under-15 or under-18 events. Contrastingly, Sabah and Sarawak boast a vibrant mini school league for these age brackets. Perhaps it's because pickleball hasn't been deemed profitable here yet."
His passion is palpable. Continuing, Gee shares: "There's a wealth of young talent waiting to be tapped into, but without competitions, they lack the stage to shine. We need to take action. It doesn't have to be grand; Even a modest start can spark a chain reaction. Just imagine — under-12 and under-15 programmes, no need for grand titles. The kids will embrace it, spreading the excitement to their families and beyond."
The future of pickleball, believes Gee, lies in the hands of the next generation. Reiterating again, he declares: "We need more bold initiatives, more grassroots programmes. If we don't nurture talent from a young age, we'll never reach our full potential as a sporting nation. It's about more than just winning; it's about instilling a love for sport, a passion for excellence, in every child who picks up a paddle."
Yet, he acknowledges the current status quo. "We find ourselves in a waiting game, yearning for bold individuals to step forward and pioneer. Profit may not be immediate, but breaking even is achievable. What we need now are trailblazers willing to take that initial leap," continues the affable coach, tone earnest.
And as the echoes of paddles meeting balls reverberate through the hall, it's clear that pickleball has found a champion in this passionate coach from Selangor — a visionary leader committed to shaping the future of Malaysian sports, one player at a time.
And with the school's unwavering support for his undertaking, Gee's vision for the growth of this sport looks set to become a reality, paving the way for a new generation of athletes to thrive.