(From left) Mohd Noorazam, Mohd Hairi and Ng with their medals after completing a 3km fun run during the Milo Breakfast Day 2025.
THE Johor government is ramping up efforts to enhance sports tourism by hosting international sports events and upgrading its sports facilities.
State youth, sports, entrepreneur development and cooperative committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said the state’s multicultural background has contributed to unity through sports.
“The state government, under my portfolio, is actively promoting sports with various development programmes.
“A highlight is the Johor International Marathon that is expected to take place in June or July this year.
“It is similar to the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon.
“The event is likely to be held in the heart of Johor Baru,” he said when met after the Milo Breakfast Day 2025 event at Educity Sports Complex in Iskandar Puteri.
Additionally, Mohd Hairi said the Johor Maybank Cycling Series would be organised as part of Visit Johor Year 2026.
He said Johor had many world-class sports venues and facilities that the state government was reviewing with the aim of hosting more events.
Mohd Hairi also said that efforts to set up a Johor gym for retired mixed martial artist (MMA) Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov was nearing completion.
Khabib is the former UFC lightweight champion of Abu Dhabi, the UAE.
“The Khabib gym has been carefully planned.
“The last phase of the agreement draft is being finalised by state legal advisors.
“We have also been in communication with Khabib’s team,” he said.
On Dec 3 last year, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi was reported saying that Khabib planned to open his gym in Johor.
Mohd Hairi said Johor was also set to become one of the few locations in South-East Asia with an international-standard MMA facility.
“This new facility will be built near the Tunku Mahkota Ismail Youth Centre (TMIYC) in Iskandar Puteri,” he said.
Mohd Hairi also announced that the state was working on expanding the youth centre to more districts.
“We now have hubs in Johor Baru, Muar, Pasir Gudang and Kluang, with the latest addition – developed at a cost of RM7mil – in Tangkak.
“The state government has provided an initial allocation of RM1mil,” he said.
Iskandar Regional Development Authority chief executive Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman said TMIYC Iskandar Puteri was expected to be completed by May and handed over to the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) for management.
“The facility will be managed by MBIP and the Johor Sports Council,” he added.
On the event, Milo business executive officer Ng Su Yen said the Milo Malaysia Breakfast Day 2025 had attacted 5,000 participants in Johor.
“We aim to encourage a healthy lifestyle among the public.
“We chose Johor as our first destination this year due to the state’s active sports programmes.
“After Johor, we plan to head to Batu Kawan in Penang,” she added.
