PETALING JAYA – International sportswear brand KELME has pledged to design more affordable pickleball paddles to make the sport accessible to the Malaysian B40 community.
The Spanish company, known for its collaborations with international football teams such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Palestine, Jordan, and La Liga’s RCD Espanyol, has become the leading paddle supplier for pickleball players in Malaysia.
Since last year, KELME has launched four new products in the market.
With paddle prices ranging from RM199 to RM260, each offers unique specifications and designs.
KELME Malaysia director Louis Fun Chen Wai said that the company is planning to engage with the state governments this year to promote its equipment and develop programs aimed at popularising pickleball in rural areas.
“We are currently working on a plan to design affordable paddles for the B40 community and those living in rural areas, so the sport can grow and become even more popular nationwide. We plan to expand our target market.
“To turn our plans into reality, we first need to build strong ties with all the state governments and develop several programs and tournaments to expose more people to the sport. Organising tournaments to support the sport in rural areas will spark interest and encourage people to play.
“We want to change the perception of Malaysians that KELME is not only about football or futsal. We want to explore other sports as well, such as handball and pickleball.
“We have plans to ensure that this sport becomes widely known. It is a sport that everyone can play, and we want to do our part to make sure it reaches the masses.
“The pickleball paddles we have introduced are the first of their kind in Malaysia. We have designs and equipment for beginners, semi-professionals, and professionals, with different specifications. An affordable option will also be available soon.
“Our goal for this year is to build stronger connections with other sports in the country, as we also want to contribute to the growth of sports here,” said Louis when met at Pickle World today.
Meanwhile, Louis also said that KELME is ready to sponsor athletes who venture into pickleball, should they approach the company.
“The sport is growing rapidly. With the Selangor state government including pickleball in the 2026 Sukma games, there’s a strong possibility that the sport will feature in the SEA Games and other major tournaments in the future, and we’ll undoubtedly see more athletes rise through the ranks in this sport.
“We are happy that many former badminton and tennis players are transitioning to pickleball and using our products. Therefore, if any athletes approach us, we’d be more than happy to sponsor them.
“In the years to come, we also plan to create KELME pickleball courts in states such as Pahang, Kelantan, and Terengganu. So far, we have quite a number of courts in the Klang Valley, and a few in other states,” Louis added.
Malaysia currently boasts over 160 pickleball courts, with hotspots in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Ipoh, and Miri. – February 8, 2025