Among all the countries in the world, there are always one country with unique and diverse in many aspects such as languages, ethnics, religions, foods and many more located in South East Asia. This country is very colorful with their skin colours and natures too. And this is Malaysia. But in every countries are not only unique in their culture, foods and traditions but also the sports activities that might differ from our mainstream thought. Here we share information about the most popular sports in Malaysia.
Introduction
As a multiracial and multicultural country, Malaysia not only famous with football like the rest of the world did. Apart from football there are few sports that might spotted as the most played in Malaysia. Some of them also played and famous in other country as well. Without waiting any longer let us start.
Football
The first and foremost is football. This sport is the main sport in Malaysia. In every states in Malaysia have their own football clubs and associations. Not only one football club, there might be several from Under 16, Under 18, Under 21 and Under 23 Football Clubs manage by the local state government under the state sport ministry department.
As many country in South East Asian, Malaysia Football Team always being invited into internal ASEAN competition such as ASEAN Football Federation Cup (AFF CUP) every two years, Thai King Cup, and also Pesta Bola Merdeka in Malaysia.
Malaysia National Football teams won the AFF Cup once in 2010 by defeated Indonesia at the Finals in Jakarta. This is the most and the top achievement for the modern Malaysia Football Team.
Badminton
The second most popular sports in Malaysia is Badminton. The Malaysian Badminton team among the strongest Badminton team in the world together with their rivalry Indonesia. Many Malaysians ex badminton players currently working as a badminton coaches abroad especially in Europe and in the United States of America.
The highest achievement for Malaysia Badminton team was during the Olympic games in Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016. The top badminton player in Malaysia at that moment was Lee Chong Wei and Lee is the most successful athlete in Malaysia history where he holding the record for the most silver medals won by a Malaysian with three.
Hockey
Become the third most popular sports in Malaysia, hockey is also the most successful sport in Malaysia. In fact, Malaysia is the top rank number 1 hockey team in South East Asia. In South East Asian, Malaysia has no competitors in field hockey, both in Men and Women’s sides. According to Wikipedia, The Malaysia men’s national field hockey team as of August 2023, the team is ranked 9th in the world, and 2nd in Asia, by the International Hockey Federation.
Malaysia hosting the World Cup in the year 2002, which featured 16 nations, making it the only single World Cup to adopt this format.
Sepak Takraw
Sepak Takraw is one of the Malay origins sport that still being played among the peoples in South East Asia. Because the Malays are dominant in Malaysia, this sports usually plays by the Malays in Malaysia. Although it was Malay origins sport, this Sepak Tarkraw also claimed by the Thai and Lao peoples as their national sport as well.
In South East Asian, Malaysia Sepak Takraw team among the strongest team together with their forever rivalry Thailand and Laos. In the present day, Sepak Tarkraw not only played by the peoples in South East Asia but it also being played by the peoples of USA, Germany, France and many more europe countries including Switzerland.
Basketball
The last but not least, basketball is on the list where this sport also one of the popular sports and one of the most played by the Malaysians in the country. The Chinese community always make basketball as their main sport in many of their event such as in school events, office events, charity events and many more.
Even though it considered as the most popular sport in Malaysia, but In South East Asian the Malaysia Basketball Team still cannot compete with the Philippines (The most strongest Basketball Team in South East Asia). Malaysia men basketball team appeared once in FIBA World Cup in 1986. Malaysia Men basketball team appeared 12 in SEABA and secured the gold medals in 1994 and 2005.
Read also : Malaysians Favourite Junk Foods
Conclusions
Based on randomly interview and observations, we have listed the top five sports most popular and most played among the Malaysians in 2024. Football is the most chosen sports did Malaysians choose to play during weekends and during the free time after work. In Malaysia there are many mini stadium and football fields you may found everywhere in the residential area, at schools or even in the small villages at the rural area.
Football (including futsal) were common games or sports during the events in Malaysia. These sports always become the main sport during charity events, small village competitions among the villagers, and many more sport events.
I hope you gained something from this article “Most Popular Sports in Malaysia”. If you mind to share your thoughts or have more inquires related to this article please drop your comments below or else, you may contact us by hit on “Contact Us” button on the tab menus.
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