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At a stage in life where most people are expected to feel settled, Kow Ming Chuan found himself building a career in pickleball, even as he carried the same quiet uncertainty that many young Malaysians know too well.
He had a job, some experience under his belt, and a future that looked stable on paper, yet choosing an unconventional path in a growing sport meant constantly questioning whether he was moving forward or simply learning as he went.
Uncertainty
Born in 2000 and currently based in Shah Alam, Kow studied at SMJK Chung Hua Klang and later pursued Journalism at University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) before spending more than two years working in the media and e-commerce sector.
The role was not one he disliked nor did he feel an urgent need to escape from it. But like many fresh graduates navigating their early careers, he was still searching for clarity on whether this was a path he wanted to commit to long term.
I did not hate the job. I just wasn’t sure about it,” he shared.
Dismissing pickleball
Ironically, the sport that would later reshape his direction was one he initially looked down on.
Coming from a badminton background, Kow saw pickleball as a sport which lacked depth and competitiveness, leading him to dismiss it as something he had no real interest in pursuing.
That perception began to unravel when a friend invited him to a pickleball event which he attended casually without expectations.
What Kow eventually discovered was a sport that was deceptively complex, where simplicity at the entry level was masked by layers of strategy, adaptability, and continuous learning.
The saying is true: ‘It is easy to play, but hard to master.’”
As Kow played more frequently, he became drawn to how the game constantly evolved, how strategies differed from match to match, and how players were always finding new ways to improve.
The growing number of competitions only deepened his curiosity, slowly transforming what started as a trial into a serious commitment.
When interest slowly becomes a belief
As Kow began entering pickleball competitions, he quickly realised he was performing beyond his own expectations. This discovery made him rethink the role the sport played in his life.
He secured 2nd place at the Assunta Hospital Charity Match, followed by 3rd place finishes at the Larrie Tournament and the Pickle Smash Team Event in the 3.0 category. He later clinched 1st place at the Meru Pickleball Tournament. This steady run of podium finishes became more than just medals as they built his confidence.
With each victory came a shift in mindset. These results led him to recognise that his age, energy, and willingness to work could allow him to pursue pickleball more seriously than he had ever imagined.
This realisation coincided with a transitional period where Kow was between jobs while preparing for his Master’s degree, giving him more flexibility to train without making a sudden or impulsive leap.
Rather than quitting everything overnight, pickleball naturally filled the space in his schedule, gradually becoming a central focus rather than a side interest.
Passion meeting financial reality
Despite his growing dedication, Kow was realistic about the challenges that came with pursuing pickleball seriously.
Without the safety net of wealth or sponsorships, the financial demands of the sport quickly became apparent, from court rentals and equipment to travel and competition fees.
To make it sustainable, Kow took on additional roles within the sport, working as a referee and coaching others to support himself.
It was not an easy balance, but he understood that being solely a competitive player was not financially viable, especially in a sport that was still finding its footing locally.
I do not come from a wealthy family, so money is always something I have to think about,” he explained.
Even so, Kow does not look back at that uncertain period with regret, viewing it instead as a calculated risk taken during a window of opportunity, one that taught him resilience and forward focus rather than hesitation.
Today, his routine revolves almost entirely around the sport. Most days, he spends about one to two hours training on court, followed by three to four hours coaching other players of varying skill levels.
Beyond playing and teaching, Kow occasionally takes on corporate coaching sessions and team building activities when opportunities arise.
Challenges in his pickleball career
While it may look flexible from the outside, the schedule is physically demanding and requires consistency.
Financially, his income comes mainly from coaching, with monthly earnings ranging between RM1,600 and RM2,700 depending on bookings and commitments.
Coaching, as Kow realised for himself, required an entirely different skill set from playing.
Students came from varied sporting backgrounds, each progressing at different speeds, forcing him to develop patience and adaptability in how he taught the game.
Rather than relying on a fixed method, he learned to break techniques down step by step, identifying specific weaknesses and adjusting his approach for each individual.
In the process, coaching sharpened Kow’s own understanding of pickleball while challenging him to grow beyond personal performance.
Choosing balance over blind optimism
Competitive pickleball, Kow explained, demands constant mental sharpness, as every match requires adaptation and quick decision making.
Beyond that, financial instability remains a persistent challenge, especially as the sport continues to grow and competition intensifies with new players and coaches entering the scene.
“Without careful planning, it is easy to overspend or burn out, making long term sustainability one of the hardest aspects of the journey. Still, the satisfaction of seeing my own improvement and pushing personal limits continues to keep me going.”
My ideal outcome is balance, where a stable career allows me to continue competing and coaching part time, unless a long term sponsor comes along to support a full-time commitment,” he added.
Despite his passion, Kow approaches the future with pragmatism. He does not see himself remaining a full-time player forever and hopes to eventually return to the corporate world to build financial stability.
I never expected this path to last forever, yet I am grateful I found the courage to step into it and allow it to shape a chapter of my life.”
A message for anyone feeling stuck
For those feeling trapped in uncertainty or weighed down by the idea of having wasted time, Kow believes growth often comes from stepping outside familiar routines, even when the direction is unclear.
To him, every process carries value, including those that feel like detours, because they shape perspective and resilience.
It’s a thrilling yet unforgiving phase filled with adrenaline, hard lessons, and constant adaptation, not every day ends in a win, but survival depends on the ability to keep moving forward,” Kow said.
