Jombola

Jombola is a racket sport combining several features of other racket sports, similar to pickleball in United States. It was independently developed by Sukdev Singh from Malaysia in 2006.

History

Sukdev Singh, principal of Sri Dasmesh International School in Taman Bukit Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, conceived the game using a wooden racquet, balls made of foam, and a badminton court. The game uses a 15 points scoring system.[1][2] The net height is 4.4 feet (1.32 metres).[1]

As the game grown in popularity in the country, Jombola International Sdn Bhd was founded in 2010 to promote and manage the development of Jombola sport.[3][4] The sports was introduced to Selangor state education department in 2014.[5] Malaysian Ministry of Education included this sport under 1Student1Sport programme in 2017 for secondary schools.[6] First Jombola open tournament was completed in November 2017.[7] By 2024, Jombola International was changed to Jombola Association Malaysia.[8]

Jombola was introduced to east Malaysian states of Sabah in 2020[9] and Sarawak in 2022.[10]

Sukdev also planned to make Jombola as Olympics demonstration sport between 2028 and 2032.[11]

Order of play

A "serve" is defined as the player's action of starting a ball when the game begins or the game is resumed after either player obtains a point. Each serve should start with the server and opponent in diagonally opposite courts.[12] The ball must be served diagonally and landed within the opposite rectangle in which the opponent is standing. Landing in the "short" or "long" service lines is a "fault" while landing in the other court is a "wrong court" In these cases, the server will lose points to his opponent. The opponent is obliged to return the ball to the server if the ball passes over the net and in his view, the ball will be landed in the appropriate rectangle.[12]

See also

• Pickleball

References

1. Chong, Sulyn (17 November 2018). "Jombola, a new sport to rival badminton?". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
2. "Jombola Sport". Jombola International. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
3. "About - Jombola". Jombola International. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
4. "The Company profile report for JOMBOLA INTERNATIONAL SDN. BHD. (201001038311 (922235-M))". Experian. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
5. "Selangor education department course". Archived from the original on 19 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
6. Michael, Stuart. "Jombola craze catching on". The Star(Malaysia). Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
7. Lee, CY (21 November 2017). "Thrilling end to jombola tourney". The Star (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
8. "Contact Us". Jombola Association Malaysia. Archived from the original on 23 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
9. Oh, GL (14 May 2020). "Sabah set to become hub for new sport Jombola". Daily Express (Sabah). Archived from the original on 4 June 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
10. Rogers, Magdalene (14 May 2022). "Jombola, a sport for all walks of life". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 4 June 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
11. Lee, CY (13 September 2016). "Jombola gaining popularity". Sikhnet. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
12. "Game Rules". Jombola Association Malaysia. Archived from the original on 23 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.