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St. John Pickleball Cup 1.0 and the Future of Pickleball in Malaysia By Shaden Hsing On August 2, I had the privilege of serving as tournament director for the St. John Pickleball Cup 1.0, a landmark event for our local pickleball community. The numbers spoke for themselves: 532 registered players across six categories, supported by 12 corporate sponsors, 300 spectators, 65 volunteers, and 42 referees/point judges. Over two days, 538 matches were completed on 16 courts—on time and in good spirit. What made this tournament special was not just the size, but the standards we set. Eye protection was mandatory, without exception. Every match had referees, with line judges present throughout. Most importantly, we introduced Malaysia’s first pre-novice player check system, ensuring a fairer, more professional competition. By local standards, where many tournaments are judged by the criticism they receive online, St. John Pickleball Cup 1.0 stood out for the positive feedback it earned. Instead of dwelling on the success, however, I would like to look forward—to the future of Malaysian pickleball, and what it will take for us to stand proudly on the world stage. Pickleball’s Global and Local Growth Through my work as a business consultant, I have traveled internationally more than 40 times in recent years. Everywhere I go—Vietnam, Taiwan, China, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Cambodia, Japan, Korea, Dubai, Oman—I see how fast pickleball is growing. Backed by international federations and leagues such as CAPPA, PPA, and WPA, pickleball has become a global sport. In Asia, Malaysia is one of the fastest-growing countries for pickleball, with participation up 400% between 2024 and 2025. More than 400 courts are expected to be completed nationwide in 2025. From world-class facilities like PSC and KLGCC, to air-conditioned courts at 91 Arena, to community venues like Mont Kiara Pickleball Club, Malaysia now offers playing environments unmatched in the region. But growth alone does not guarantee excellence. We must ask: Are we truly developing strong players, or just expanding quickly? Key Challenges for Malaysian Pickleball 1. Scoring Formats In Malaysia, most tournaments use Rally 15 or Rally 21. While these formats allow faster games and more participants, they do little to build stamina, strategy, or high-level skills. On average, a Rally 15 game lasts only 6–8 minutes. Internationally, however, players rely on traditional 002 scoring and Rally 21. When I competed in Ho Chi Minh City, Taipei, and Chiang Mai, no one had even heard of Rally 15. If Malaysia wants to compete abroad, we must move beyond convenience and adopt globally recognized formats. 2. Tournament Standards Some local tournaments, despite strong sponsorship and premium entry fees, fall short of professional standards. I have seen events with only three certified referees for 16 courts, no line judges, no main scoreboard, and matches delayed until 2 a.m. On the same weekend as the St. John Cup, seven other tournaments were scheduled—one canceled due to low turnout, others scrambling to fill spots. This “money-first” approach dilutes quality, frustrates players, and undermines credibility. Malaysia needs fewer but better tournaments, run with fairness and proper organization. 3. Coaching Standards While certified coaches are increasing, certification does not always mean qualification. Too often, new coaches lack the ability to demonstrate even basic strokes such as serving, dinking, or drop shots. A true coach should not only know the rules, but also demonstrate skills, guide strategy, and build the right mindset. Without a strong coaching foundation, Malaysia risks losing talented young players who might otherwise rise to international levels. 4. The DUPR Obsession Many players are fixated on their DUPR ratings, sometimes even manipulating them. But DUPR is only a tool—it does not measure humility, teamwork, or maturity. In the long run, the right mindset will develop stronger players than any rating system ever could. A Lifetime Sport With a Bigger Purpose Pickleball is more than competition—it is a lifetime sport. I have witnessed people transform their lives through it: A friend who lost 8 kg in three months and regained his confidence. A housewife who, after 22 years at home, began coaching children through pickleball. Players who found relief from stress, depression, or isolation through the joy of the game. This is why corporate support and funding are essential. Schools are already adopting pickleball as part of extracurricular programs, and more companies can contribute through CSR, wellness initiatives, or insurance partnerships. The Way Forward Malaysia has the facilities, sponsors, and enthusiasm to become a true pickleball powerhouse. But to reach that level, we must: Embrace international scoring standards. Improve tournament quality and organization. Build a solid coaching foundation. Focus on community, fairness, and sportsmanship. If we can align growth with professionalism, Malaysia will not only be the fastest-growing pickleball nation, but also one of the most respected. The paddle is in our hands. Let’s play it right. --Hosting provided by SoundOn

特朗普在社交媒体上发帖称，周四对两国来说将是“非常重要和激动人心的一天”，白宫将在稍后的新闻发布会上提供更多细节。 他还写道：“与英国达成的贸易协议是一个全面且完整的协议，将在未来许多年里巩固美国和英国之间的关系。鉴于我们长期以来的历史和共同的追求，英国成为我们第一个宣布的协议对象，接下来还会有许多其他协议，这些协议目前都处于严肃的谈判阶段！” 尽管特朗普的言辞听起来很宏大，但任何协议实际上可能都是有限的。英美贸易协议从未被宣传为一个全面的自由贸易协议，这种协议通常需要数年时间的谈判才能达成。 一位英国官员表示，周四的公告将阐述一般条款，并专注于特定行业，英国首相斯塔默定于周四晚些时候就该协议发表讲话。美国是英国最大的贸易伙伴，每年从英国进口1790亿英镑(2220亿美元)的商品和服务。 英国首相办公室发言人表示：“美国是我们经济和国家安全方面不可或缺的盟友，我们两国之间的协议谈判仍在继续，首相将于今天晚些时候发布最新消息。” --Hosting provided by SoundOn

1.3亿美国成年人识字能力低下，其中54%的16到74岁人口的阅读理解能力还不到小学六年级的水平。 --Hosting provided by SoundOn

当世人以警惕焦灼的目光紧盯特朗普的“单边主义”时，特朗普狡黠地拿出了惊世骇俗的新工具：“扩张主义”和离岸制衡。两种新招术，还是指向邻国和欧洲盟友。 特朗普的“扩张主义”并非笑谈，他将加拿大视为美国“第51个州”，称加拿大总理特鲁多为“州长”，扬言要合并美加。特朗普觊觎格陵兰岛也引发丹麦恐慌，格陵兰岛将于今年4月进行独立公投。 特朗普的“扩张主义”并非是其本人要扩张疆土，而是美国不堪传统的回归。短暂的美国历史充满殖民主义基因和“扩张主义”原罪。美国从最初的13块殖民地发展到如今50个州，不是抢来的就是买来的。这是典型的“扩张主义”。此外，美国还有“门罗主义”，美国高兴时把美洲视为前庭后院，美国不爽的时候，就会对美洲国家予取予夺。当《纽约时报》《华盛顿邮报》等主流媒体“调侃”特朗普的“扩张主义”时，就把美国不长的历史和历届建制派政府给“漂白”了。这些媒体看来，美国历史充满了所谓纯洁勇敢的“美利坚”叙事，美国历任建制派政府也都是为民主自由而奋斗的“伟光正”。特朗普的“扩张主义”不是美国的问题，而是特朗普自己的毛病。 戳穿了虚伪的政治“童话” 然而，特朗普的“贪婪直率”戳穿了美国长期精心演绎的“皇帝的新衣”，政治正确的虚伪“童话”被特朗普这个“老男孩”无情击碎。因此，与其说特朗普“扩张主义”，不如说特朗普暴露了美国“扩张主义”的本质。 正因为如此，加拿大和巴拿马才倍感紧张，因为它们担心美国回归“强抢”和“强买”的本性。经此“扩张主义”威慑，加拿大和墨西哥两个国家，在面对特朗普新的关税战时，也许会向美国妥协。故而，特朗普的“扩张主义”看似特朗普的“大嘴巴”修辞，其实更像是逼邻国就范的伎俩。 特朗普对美洲邻国实施“扩张主义”恐吓，对欧洲国家则进行离岸制衡。 拜登时代，美国主动下场并联合北约援乌制俄使得冲突愈演愈烈。特朗普弃用拜登那一套，开始玩起多重离岸制衡游戏。 一方面，利用俄乌冲突要挟北约成员国，逼其增加军费开支，减轻美国“保护伞”的压力。为了让深陷俄乌冲突的北约欧洲成员就范，特朗普甚至以美国退出北约进行要挟。由于北约反俄太深，欧洲援乌太多，而且背负二次两次世界大战的沉重负担，特朗普利用俄乌冲突的离岸制衡很有效。而且，乌克兰总统泽连斯基也参透了特朗普对欧离岸制衡的玄机，配合美国要挟北约的欧洲成员将援助乌克兰进行到底。泽连斯基甚至采取“不援助就断掉输气管道”的方式，加剧欧洲国家的能源危机，让欧洲国家内讧。 另一方面，俄乌冲突不仅削弱了俄、欧、乌三方力量，也强化了美国对欧盟和北约的控制。对特朗普而言，他要的未必是主导西方世界的虚名，而是依靠实力向欧洲国家攫取更多实际利益，让北约的欧洲成员承担更多安保义务。 更值玩味的是，特朗普还以侮辱性极强的方式对欧洲进行内部拆台，让欧洲国家不断破防。特朗普亲自参加巴黎圣母院重开仪式时，似乎给法国和欧洲国家莫大的面子。然而，特朗普“走出去”只是外交表象，他在海湖庄园接待西方政客“朝拜”才是真正目的。奔赴海湖庄园的欧洲政客中，匈牙利总理欧尔班颇得特朗普的激赏，意大利总理梅洛尼成为海湖庄园新年伊始迎来的新客人，特朗普不吝称赞梅洛尼是“了不起的女性”。然而，欧尔班是欧盟的“刺头”，欧盟讨厌的“内鬼”成了海湖庄园的座上宾，特朗普对欧盟的立场是显然的，从内部给欧盟制造混乱。 欲重构太平洋两岸右翼同盟 接待梅洛尼，特朗普则别有用心，既支持欧盟右翼领导人对付建制派。法国的马克龙、德国的朔尔茨或成跛脚鸭或面临大选，特朗普力挺欧盟右翼，不仅动摇法德作为欧盟双核的根基，让欧盟变成一盘散沙；而且可以让欧盟更强烈的右转舵，以打破拜登时代的西方江湖，重构特朗普领导的大西洋两岸右翼同盟。 特朗普还充分利用马斯克干涉欧洲主要国家的内政。马斯克公开支持极右翼的德国选择党，嘲弄德国总理朔尔茨是“傻瓜”、总统施泰因迈尔是个“反民主的暴君”。即便是已经脱欧的英国，马斯克也支持右翼民粹的改革党。至于法国，马斯克暂时手下留情，但马克龙已经是苟延残喘，无力左右国内政局。 曾经的欧洲“三剑客”，要么被马斯克干涉内政，要么被马斯克蔑视，特朗普则笑看欧洲国家在内讧中变得散乱无措。特朗普─马斯克式美国双簧，给坐山观虎斗的离岸制衡游戏增加了主动调戏的荒诞色彩。这也意味着，为了美国优先，特朗普2.0已经不满足于“单边主义”关税战，开始通过“扩张主义”和离岸制衡的方式，对邻国和盟友无差别“杀熟”。 --Hosting provided by SoundOn

最近几年，这项在60年代发源于西雅图的运动不仅在美国焕发了新生，热度同样传到了大洋彼岸的中国。正如本次活动球场的名字：斯凯奇皮卡球中心，同样来自西海岸的舒适科技公司斯凯奇成为了皮卡球在中国的引领者，并致力于将这项运动推广给更多人群。 皮卡球“魔力”十足 成为最具潜力运动 故事还要从1965年夏天讲起，三位父亲本在西雅图附近的班布里奇岛上度假，为了给孩子们解闷，他们用几支乒乓球拍、一颗穿孔的塑料球和一个老旧的羽毛球场“创造”了世界上第一场皮卡球赛，让大家都玩得不亦乐乎。而其中一个发明者的狗狗Pickles很爱咬球跑，所以那颗塑料球也被称为 “Pickleball”…… 可以说，这项运动从一开始便有着休闲娱乐的基因。同时也因为场地较小，不需要频繁长距离冲刺，没有直接的身体对抗，具有很强的社交属性，特别适合刚开始接触运动的人群。尤其在过去几年，人们更为重视起线下交流以及日常锻炼，这项类似“拿着大号乒乓球拍在羽毛球场地上打塑料网球”的运动也得以焕发了“第二春”。 --Hosting provided by SoundOn