KUALA LUMPUR – Gatorade, the world’s No. 1 sports drink, is powering the country’s first national pickleball championship, the Gatorade Malaysia Closed 2025. This landmark event, organized by the Malaysia Pickleball Association (MPA) and co-hosted by the Kuala Lumpur Pickleball Association (KLPA), represents a pivotal milestone for the sport in Malaysia, bringing together the nation’s top-ranked players to compete for official national standings.
The championship, which is open exclusively to Malaysian players, will be held from December 5th to 8th, 2025, at PickleDepot @ Sentul Depot. Participants will compete fiercely in divisions across Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles, with the results establishing a clear framework for official national rankings within Malaysia’s rapidly evolving competitive pickleball scene. The event solidifies the transition of pickleball from a recreational pastime into a structured and aspirational national sport.
Amy Gan, Vice President of Marketing at Etika Sdn. Bhd. (the distributor of Gatorade), spoke on the brand’s role in nurturing talent and empowering athletes. “Gatorade has always stood for performance, science and progression,” she said. “We support everyday players in discovering their potential, elevating their game, and competing on a national stage. Beyond sponsorship, we aim to build a sporting ecosystem where coaching, competition, and conditioning develop confident, disciplined, and resilient athletes.”
The partnership is a direct application of Gatorade’s scientific focus on fueling, hydrating, and recovering, ensuring that the athletes competing in this physically demanding racquet sport have the essential support needed to perform at their peak.
Laying the Groundwork for Long-Term Talent
The championship is seen by the MPA as a crucial step in formalizing the sport’s structure and providing clear pathways for talent development in Malaysia.
Y.B. Dr. Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen, Member of Parliament from Sarawak and Advisor to the Malaysia Pickleball Association, emphasized the importance of the event for the future of the sport. “This championship signals an exciting new chapter for pickleball in Malaysia,” he stated. “By providing a clear and competitive pathway for our athletes, we are laying the groundwork for long-term talent development and a stronger national presence in the sport.”
With interest rapidly growing nationwide, pickleball is evolving beyond its recreational roots into a significant platform for community building, active living, and competitive excellence. The Gatorade Malaysia Closed 2025 is strategically designed to support this momentum, offering athletes a national stage to showcase skill, strategy, and sportsmanship.
Experiencing the National Championship
The four-day tournament promises high-quality, structured competition, with matches played according to official pickleball rules to ensure fair and consistent play across all divisions.
Spectators are strongly encouraged to experience the championship firsthand at PickleDepot @ Sentul Depot. The atmosphere is expected to be electric, celebrating the skill and dedication of Malaysia’s top pickleball athletes. Fans unable to attend can follow updates, highlights, and key moments through the official social media channels for the Gatorade Malaysia Closed 2025 (@gatorademalaysiaclosed2025 on Instagram).
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Players who wish to compete in this historic inaugural event are reminded that registration will close soon, on November 30th, 2025, or once all spots are filled. Interested participants can register through the dedicated platforms: Juniors via https://www.sportssync.asia and Seniors via https://www.swp.solemas.com.
The staging of the Gatorade Malaysia Closed 2025 sets the bar high for competitive pickleball in the country, ensuring that Malaysian athletes have a strong, visible platform to achieve national recognition and pursue their ambitions in the sport.
