Malaysia's "prince of pickleball" signs landmark deal with global giant, lifting Malaysian pickleball [WATCH]

There is no chest-thumping bravado when Jimmy Liong walks into Franklin Malaysia’s Christmas party. No victory lap either. Just the familiar half-smile of a player fully aware of the work it has taken to reach this point – and equally conscious that there is still more to be done.

Yet the occasion marks a genuine milestone. Malaysia’s top-ranked pickleball player has just been unveiled as the newest signing to the Franklin Malaysia Pro Team, in what is the brand’s first major professional signing in Asia. For Malaysian pickleball, it truly feels like a line quietly crossed.

Liong’s rise has been steady rather than spectacular. Known for his athleticism, consistency and relentless work ethic, he has climbed to the top of the national rankings without ever demanding the spotlight. And perhaps that’s what makes his growing influence resonate even more.

Earlier this year, when he appeared on NST Takes To Court, the New Straits Times’ pickleball special for NST TV, Liong spoke about the need for Malaysia to have someone the next generation could look up to – “an idol”, as he put it.

And at the Franklin event, when reminded of those words and told he might already be fulfilling that prophecy, Liong chuckles shyly before acknowledging that it is something he is consciously striving towards. The humility remains, but so does the ambition.

Future of Pickleball

Liong’s signing – as the newest member of the Franklin family – was announced at the Franklin Christmas Party, a community celebration held at the newly launched exclusive members-only pickleball venue at Combat Shooting Club, Kuala Lumpur. Players, partners and familiar faces from the local scene came together for exhibition matches, product showcases and conversations about where the sport is headed.

[[nid:1336816]]

For Liong, the partnership with Franklin feels less like a destination and more like a continuation. He has long spoken about building the game – about standards, visibility and giving the next generation something tangible to aspire towards. It is a philosophy that aligns neatly with Franklin Malaysia’s broader ambitions for the sport.

The Christmas party itself reflected that intent. Beyond the headline signing, Franklin Malaysia used the occasion to unveil its new apparel range and showcase its latest products, signalling a push to grow pickleball not just as a competitive pursuit, but as a lifestyle and a community. Exhibition matches, casual play and familiar conversations filled the courts, underscoring how far the local scene has come – and where it hopes to go.

Through it all, Liong remains characteristically grounded. There is humility in how he carries himself, but no lack of clarity about his goals. He may still laugh shyly when talk turns to being an “idol”, but he is openly striving towards that role. In a sport still defining its leaders, Malaysia’s top player is no longer just part of the conversation: he is helping shape its direction.

intanm@nst.com.my

Source link