Malaysia Pickleball Association faces possible suspension over governance breaches

The Malaysia Pickleball Association faces possible suspension after the Sports Commissioner’s Office concluded that its recent annual general meeting and past AGMs were conducted in breach of its constitution.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Pickleball Association (MPA) has been served with a show cause letter by the Sports Commissioner’s Office, requiring it to explain why it should not be suspended under the Sports Development Act 1997 (Act 576).

The letter, dated Feb 4, and sighted by Twentytwo13, was signed by Deputy Sports Commissioner Mohsinar Abdul Malek. It gives the association 14 days to respond to the proposed suspension under Section 20(1A)(c) and (e) of the Act.

This follows a series of governance concerns that have been under scrutiny for more than a year. On Oct 14, 2025, the Sports Commissioner’s Office issued a Governance Remedial Action Notice to the association.

MPA was instructed to address a number of irregularities, including matters linked to its annual general meeting (AGM) and internal decision-making processes.

The Sports Commissioner’s Office was asked to intervene following Farell Choo’s resignation as president and the subsequent appointment of Delima Ibrahim as caretaker president, effective July 1, 2025.

Delima is president of the Sarawak Pickleball Association and MPA treasurer. She said MPA’s executive council had no objections to her taking over as president.

However, MPA deputy president Harmeet Singh said Choo’s decision to hand over the post to Delima was against the association’s constitution, which states that the deputy should be the next in line if the president steps down.

On Oct 14, 2025, the Sports Commissioner’s Office instructed MPA to hold an annual general meeting by Jan 14, 2026, to get its house in order.

However, after reviewing the Annual Information Return (MYKB) submitted following the Jan 13 AGM, the Sports Commissioner’s Office concluded that the association had failed to rectify the issues previously highlighted:

• The validation process of affiliate membership, whereby MPA was not transparent in making decisions regarding the admission of affiliate members.

• MPA proceeded to fix the date of the AGM without a decision being made at the main committee meeting, as required under Sports Commissioner’s Circular No. 2 of 2021.

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

* The AGM was conducted improperly and in contravention of Clauses 19.1 and 19.2 of the MPA Constitution, as it was chaired by the secretary.

The Sports Commissioner’s Office also extended its review to AGMs held in previous years and found that the AGMs for 2021, 2022 and 2023 were conducted without achieving the required quorum, and that elections for the main committee were carried out solely by individual members who were not entitled to vote under Clause 10.2 of the MPA Constitution.

In light of what it described as the association’s failure to remedy the irregularities and to conduct its affairs in accordance with its constitution, the Sports Commissioner is satisfied there are grounds for suspension.

The letter reads:

“The Sports Commissioner is satisfied that there are grounds to suspend the registration of the Malaysian Pickleball Association under Section 20(1A)(c) and (e) of the Sports Development Act 1997 (Act 576):

(c) failure or neglect to remedy any malpractice, misconduct or irregularity on the part of its office-bearers or members within the period specified in the written notice issued by the Commissioner; and

(e) failure or neglect to carry out its activities and affairs in accordance with its constitution.

“Accordingly, the Malaysian Pickleball Association is required to show cause, if any, as to why the proposed suspension under Section 20(1A)(c) and (e) should not be effected, within fourteen (14) days from the date of this letter.”

Sports Commissioner Arrifin Ghani, when contacted, said MPA can continue carrying out its duties as it has yet to be suspended, and that the notice does not affect the ongoing Kuala Lumpur Open at Playa Racquet Club @ PARC Subang.

“They still have another week to reply to the show cause letter. I will comment further after the deadline,” said Arrifin.

Twentytwo13 reached out to Delima but she was attending a course. Harmeet confirmed he had received the show cause letter.

“I will discuss the matter with Delima before drafting a reply to the Sports Commissioner’s Office,” said Harmeet.

“We have to look at what is best for the association and its members, and ensure that whatever response we submit addresses the concerns raised.

“The priority is to resolve the governance issues properly and move forward in accordance with the constitution.”