EDITORIAL: PICKLEBALL TAKES SUBANG JAYA BY STORM

PICKLEBALL. Many have heard about it; some have watched social media of it while many others have started playing it.

The game has taken many of us in Subang Jaya by storm. Toss a coin in the air and it will probably land on a pickleball court in your neighbourhood. Since March, some of us started our foray into this “strange” sport that was a mix between table tennis-tennis-badminton. That’s what I thought of it when I was stepped foot into a pickleball court. I remember I wasn’t dressed for the game but jumped into it just out of curiosity.

For someone like me who doesn’t really get involved in any sports, apart from birdwatching; it was a leap of faith that maybe, just maybe I might like it. Having like-minded friends who were just as curious helped push me into the arena. Ever since then, we’ve been playing almost 2-3 times a week, spending two-hours each time playing and learning the game.

I am told I am a “beast” when the paddle is hand and I am playing. I fancy I am just a beginner like anyone else; learning the dos and don’ts from the more seasoned players. I learned a few tricks along the way. I also learned that I should make bigger strides when running for the ball and not be too timid.

I’ve also enjoyed clicking photographs of our group as they play. Every click is calculated to get the maximum facial expression on every player. But one thing’s for sure, we sure kick up a lot of paces during the two-hours and sweat like buckets. We pace ourselves though and avoid trying to be mavericks on the court. While the younger ones play a faster game, the older ones like us take it slow and steady.

It is interesting to note that pickleball is less strenuous compared to tennis or badminton. I am also glad to notice that several pickleball courts have started installing automated external defibrillator AEDs at their facility. One can never to be complacent to expect that the sport cannot trigger a medical emergency.

What’s so cool about pickleball anyway? I personally think it’s a good sport to get back on a healthy pace and most enjoyably, we get to gather with like-minded friends more often that usual for a game. At the beginning of every week, someone is bound to ask “Where are we pickleballing this week?”

If you haven’t tried it, start today. Pick up a paddle at the shops or rent one at the courts. Give it a try. Who knows? You might be the next pickleball champion at SUKMA 2026.

Later this month, Subang Jaya will host its first-ever Subang Got Talent Karaoke Contest on May 17 at Subang Parade. Organised jointly by the Subang Member of Parliament’s Office, Subang Parade and SJEcho, the contest has received quite a good number of entries. The preliminary judges are now sifting through the pre-recorded audition videos and the finalists will soon get notified to get ready to belt it out at the finals. Watch out for our announcements closer to the date.

Almost throughout April we brought to you extensive news updates on the gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights.We have also followed up and highlighted some issues that are closer to homes in Subang Jaya and USJ. We’ve also shared many of these concerns with Malaysian Structural Integrity Society (MSIS) president Prof Ir Dr Mahadi Abd Murad who has kindly communicated it formally to the officials at Petronas Gas Berhad.

In this edition, we caught up with the man of the hour – Subang Jaya’s OCPD ACP Wan Azlan Wan Mamat who commandeered the whole operations on Day 1 of the gas explosion. He shares with us his personal experience and thoughts as he took on the driver’s seat throughout the whole operations. We are sure it will be an interesting read. Check it out.

Here’s wishing you a safe and productive month ahead. There’s a lot more we can do for Subang Jaya. Tell us what you can do.