Top five biggest sports in Malaysia

Football is one of the biggest sports in Malaysia.

An avid sporting country, Malaysia is renowned for regularly competing in international tournaments and housing a robust homegrown sporting community. From the traditional Malay games to professional sporting events, their countrymen come together through the love of sports which instils a spirit of sportmanship and national pride.

Sports in Malaysia are an important part of Malaysian culture. It is popular from both the participation and spectating aspects. Malaysians from different walks of life engage in a variety of sports for entertainment as well as competition.

Also Read: Top 10 most searched sports events on google in Malaysia in 2024

In the broadest definition of sports—physical exercise of all sorts—the four most popular recreational sports among the general population of Malaysia are exercise walking, aerobic exercise, strength training, and running

With a rich culture and numerous sporting activities, the country has continued to produce world-class athletes across various disciplines. In recent times, the Malaysian government has invested heavily in sports infrastructure, and the country is home to several international sporting events.

The sports industry in Malaysia is growing rapidly with many popular sports. Football is the most popular discipline in Malaysia, followed by badminton, hockey, motorsport and more. On that note, let’s take a look at the top five biggest sports in Malaysia.

Also Read: Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna Award: List of all winners

5. Motorsport

Motorsport has progressively entrenched itself into the Malaysian culture and landscape, nurtured by global level events like the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix (which ceased running in 2017) and the MotoGP event.

The people of Sepang area are fond of the Sepang International Circuit, which is still a motorsports arena with a series of local and international races. The country has also given birth to some top-tier rain-soaked motorsports talent, with Moto GP star Hafizh Syahrin and Formula 2 driver Jazeman Jaafar among their ranks.

Also Read: All you need to know about history of Malaysia football team

4. Hockey

Malaysia has been found remarkable success internationally in the field of hockey. The Malaysian national hockey team has been a formidable force in Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, a highly coveted global tournament held in Malaysia. The nation has a rich legacy in Hockey and developed programs, eminent school competitions that yield talented players.

3. Sepak takraw

Sepak Takraw is a traditional Southeast Asian sport that has great importance in sporting culture of Malaysia. A fast-paced combination of football and volleyball using a rattan ball that makes for some impressive acrobatic skills.

Malaysia, one of the giants of the world of sepak takraw, often rivals its coaches from Thailand and Indonesia. STL Pioneering Professional Sepak Takraw Professional the League in Malaysia has also with international media station and sponsorship.

Also Read: India vs Malaysia: All time Head-to-head record

2. Football

Another global sport popular among Malaysians is football, or soccer, as known in Asia. The Malaysia Super League (MSL) is the country’s premier professional football league, drawing large crowds and fierce rivalries. The national team, Harimau Malaya, also has a large fanbase that cheers them on at regional tournaments, like the AFF Suzuki Cup and the SEA Games.

Malaysia has not translated these resources into international success, but the game is certainly the country’s most popular sport, and thousands of amateur leagues, futsal courts and school tournaments serve as breeding grounds for the next generation.

The presence of European powers and global footballing forces such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Barcelona have played in favour of the region with a large segment of the Malaysian population rooting for European clubs.

Also Read: Top five greatest badminton players from Malaysia

1. Badminton

Undoubtedly, badminton is the sport which has brought tremendous glory and pride to Malaysia. The country has a strong legacy of producing top-class shuttlers, led by Lee Chong Wei.

Malaysia has been performing well in international tournaments like the Olympics, where they have won 11 Olympic Medals in badminton in the Summer Games including 6 silver medals. Additionally, they have excelled in the Thomas Cup, All England Open, and other competitions.

Strong grassroots programs, local tournaments and government support through agencies like the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have helped the sport thrive. Badminton courts are available in almost all towns and cities and is still a widely loved sport or pastime for Malaysians of all ages.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram