Pickleball body ordered to hold fresh elections over governance lapses

The Malaysia Pickleball Association must hold fresh elections after failing to resolve governance issues, including AGM procedures and leadership succession.

KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari has approved a recommendation by the Sports Commissioner’s Office (SCO) for the Malaysia Pickleball Association (MPA) to hold fresh elections, with all valid state associations included.

This follows MPA’s appeal after it was suspended by the SCO over governance concerns.

Sports Commissioner Arrifin Ghani forwarded the recommendation to Dr Mohammed Taufiq earlier this month and received approval to proceed with fresh elections three days ago.

Officers from the SCO will be present at the annual general meeting (AGM) to ensure proceedings comply with regulations.

“We are now forming an ad hoc committee. We will then work with MPA to hold fresh elections, but these must include all valid state associations,” said Arrifin.

“At the moment, only a handful are recognised by MPA. We will work closely with them to ensure all states are represented in the national body.

“Once this issue is resolved, everything should proceed smoothly for MPA.”

MPA’s governance issues began last year when founding president Farrell Choo stepped down and handed over to the association’s treasurer, Delima Ibrahim, who became acting president on July 1, 2025.

However, MPA’s constitution states that if a president steps down, the deputy president is to assume the role.

This led deputy president Harmeet Singh to lodge a complaint with the SCO.

Deputy Sports Commissioner Mohsinar Abdul Malek met MPA officials on Oct 9, 2025. Five days later, a notice was issued outlining remedial measures, including convening an AGM within 90 days, conducting elections for a new main committee, and submitting the relevant information report (MYKB) within 30 days after the AGM.

MPA subsequently held an AGM on Jan 13 with five recognised affiliates — Sarawak, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Sabah and Putrajaya.

However, after reviewing the MYKB, the SCO found that the association had failed to rectify key issues:

• Lack of transparency in validating affiliate membership.

• The AGM date was fixed without a decision at a main committee meeting, contrary to Sports Commissioner’s Circular No. 2 of 2021.

• The Dec 22, 2025, main committee meeting was conducted improperly and chaired by the secretary, in contravention of Clauses 19.1 and 19.2 of the MPA constitution.

The SCO issued a show-cause letter to MPA on Feb 4 before suspending the association on Feb 27 under the Sports Development Act 1997.

The suspension cited multiple breaches, including alleged violations of the constitution, irregular leadership succession, and concerns over past AGMs that did not meet quorum requirements.

The association was given 30 days to explain why it should not be deregistered.

However, the process was complicated after the suspension letter was held at a post office in Miri, delaying its receipt by MPA. The SCO subsequently granted additional time for the association to respond.

No reason was given for the delay.

Despite the dispute, the SCO has reiterated that MPA remains the country’s recognised national body for pickleball.