Franklin Pickleball Malaysia has officially announced the signing of Jimmy Liong, Malaysia’s top-ranked pickleball player, marking a major milestone for the sport’s growth in the country.
The announcement was made during the Franklin Christmas Party 2025, a community celebration held at the newly launched exclusive members-only pickleball venue at Combat Shooting Club in Kuala Lumpur.
A rising national figure in Malaysia’s pickleball scene
Jimmy’s signing represents a significant step forward for pickleball in Malaysia.
Widely recognised for his athleticism, consistency and rapid rise through the national rankings, Jimmy has emerged as one of the most influential figures in the local pickleball scene.
Beyond competition, he is also known for his active involvement in community initiatives aimed at developing the sport at both grassroots and elite levels. His dedication to growing pickleball locally mirrors Franklin’s broader vision of elevating the sport across Southeast Asia.
We are incredibly excited to welcome Jimmy to the Franklin family,” said Stanley Low, Director at Franklin Pickleball Malaysia.
Jimmy represents the highest standard of Malaysian pickleball, and his influence both on and off the court is undeniable. With Jimmy onboard, we look forward to showcasing Malaysian talent on the global stage while continuing to raise the level of the sport nationally.”
Jimmy shared his enthusiasm for the partnership, describing it as a meaningful new chapter in his career.
I’m honored to join Franklin, a brand that has supported the growth of pickleball not just in Malaysia, but around the world,” he said.
“I’ve seen firsthand how Franklin is helping build the community here, and I’m excited to represent a brand that believes in the potential of Malaysian players.”
Franklin Malaysia Debuts New Apparel Line
The Franklin Christmas Party also served as the official launch platform for Franklin Malaysia’s latest apparel collection, marking the brand’s entry into a broader lifestyle and performance category.
The new lineup includes Lifestyle Tees featuring modern, minimal and everyday-ready designs, as well as The Basic Sportswear Collection, which focuses on breathable, court-ready apparel designed for training, play and competition.
According to Stanley, the collection reflects the evolving identity of Malaysia’s pickleball community.
Our new apparel collection reflects the identity of the Malaysian pickleball community: stylish, active and growing rapidly,” he said.
This is just the beginning of our expansion into performance wear and lifestyle products.”
Fashion Meets Sport Through Designer Collaboration
As part of the apparel showcase, Franklin Malaysia also collaborated with renowned fashion designer Key Ng, known for his bold aesthetic and contemporary sportswear sensibilities. Key curated a special-edition statement piece exclusively for the Franklin Christmas Party.
The collaboration signals Franklin Malaysia’s future direction in merging fashion, sport and culture, while paving the way for more expressive, athlete-driven design partnerships in 2026 and beyond.
Why This Matters for Malaysia
The Franklin Christmas Party brought together players, ambassadors, partners, celebrities and industry leaders for a full day of exhibition matches, interactive games, product showcases and community engagement activities.
The event underscored Franklin Malaysia’s commitment to building a sustainable ecosystem for pickleball in the country.
Jimmy Liong’s signing carries broader significance for the local sports scene. It marks Franklin’s first major professional athlete signing in Asia, reinforces the brand’s continued investment in Malaysia’s pickleball ecosystem, and strengthens Malaysia’s position as one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing pickleball markets.
The launch of Franklin-branded performance and lifestyle apparel also signals a new chapter for the sport, positioning pickleball not just as a game Malaysians play, but a culture they increasingly identify with and wear.
