Pickleball Rocks Malaysia: McGuffin and Local Stars Light Up Showcase
What's the Score?
Malaysia's burgeoning pickleball scene received a significant boost with the announcement of TOMAZ as the exclusive distributor of the top pickleball brand JOOLA. To celebrate this partnership, TOMAZ hosted an exclusive Pickleball Showcase Event in Setia Alam, featuring globally recognised professional pickleball player Tyson McGuffin, alongside a lineup of Malaysian celebrities, entrepreneurs, and emerging local pickleball talents. The event highlighted the growing momentum and mainstream appeal of pickleball in Malaysia.
Hit it deeper!
The Pickleball Showcase Event, held at 9Pickle in Setia Alam on April 21, 2025, was designed to mark the significant partnership between TOMAZ and JOOLA. Tyson McGuffin, a consistent top 10 player on the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour, renowned for his prowess in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, headlined the event, bringing his elite skills to Malaysian pickleball enthusiasts. His presence underscores the growing international recognition and interest in the Malaysian pickleball market.
A key component of the showcase was the All-Star Match, which featured a diverse group of prominent Malaysian figures. The lineup included MP Tomaz (CEO of TOMAZ), Christy Ng (Founder and CEO of Christy Ng), Aaron Chin (a Malaysian doubles badminton player), Renyi Chin (of Pickleballgang), Cheah Liek Hou (a Malaysian para-badminton player), Duta Syazmin (a Malaysian footballer), Cik Manggis (a singer and actress), and Dennis Lau (a musician). The participation of these well-known personalities from various sectors highlights the broad appeal and growing popularity of pickleball across different segments of Malaysian society.
The event also featured a Pro Players Exhibition Match, providing a platform for some of Malaysia’s top emerging pickleball talents to showcase their skills. The lineup included Adam Ashraf, Colin Wong, Ariez Elyaas, Myra Arisa, Roxanne Ang, Izzul Aizuddin, and Christian Didier. This exhibition served not only to entertain the audience but also to provide valuable exposure for local players, demonstrating the increasing depth of pickleball talent within Malaysia.
Admission to the event was free, although with limited seating, further emphasising the high level of interest in witnessing both a top international pro like Tyson McGuffin and local stars in action. The combination of a globally recognised player and popular Malaysian figures created a buzz and attracted significant attention to the sport.
This showcase event follows closely on the heels of another high-profile appearance by Quang Duong in mid-April, further indicating a concerted effort to elevate the profile of pickleball in Malaysia. These events, along with the increasing number of pickleball tournaments and the establishment of more dedicated courts, reflect the rapid growth and increasing mainstream acceptance of the sport in the country.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The Tyson McGuffin-headlined Pickleball Showcase in Malaysia signifies a pivotal moment in the sport's development within the nation. The partnership between a top global brand like JOOLA and a local distributor like TOMAZ indicates a strong belief in the Malaysian market's potential. Featuring a world-class player like McGuffin alongside popular local figures serves as a powerful catalyst for raising awareness, inspiring participation, and attracting media attention. This event, combined with the growing number of tournaments and the emergence of local talent, strongly suggests that pickleball is rapidly transitioning from a niche sport to a significant part of Malaysia's sporting landscape.