A TOTAL of 150 Malaysian youths came together for the Hoops + Health Community Basketball Festival 2026.
It also marked the third year of Sun Life Malaysia and Beyond Sport’s joint effort to promote youth well-being through sport.
The festival gathered young people for a basketball clinic for participants aged 12 and below, followed by a 3x3 tournament for those aged 17 and under.
The event held at Ampang Jaya Basketball Court was designed to encourage active living, build confidence and strengthen social connections through the power of sport.
Using basketball as its anchor, the programme tackles rising sedentary behaviour among young people.
The initiative began with the revitalisation of the Kuala Ampang community basketball court in Ampang, Selangor.
It has since impacted more than 400 youths and coaches through free six‑month basketball and coaching programmes.
Through trained coaches delivering activities within their own communities, the programme has indirectly reached over 3,000 youths nationwide, the insurer said in a statement.
Sun Life Malaysia president and country head Ho Teck Seng said Hoops + Health has grown into a sustained platform for youth well-being.
“We’ve seen how regular access to sport helps young people stay active, build confidence and develop healthier habits.
“We’re proud of the progress made in creating meaningful opportunities for more youths across Malaysia,” he said.
Beyond Sport’s executive director Fred Fikouhi‑Turner echoed the sentiment, emphasising the need for collective action.
“Youth inactivity cannot be solved by a single organisation alone.
“Progress happens when businesses, community organisations and coaches work together with a shared purpose.
“Basketball provides a practical and inclusive platform to encourage active lifestyles, confidence‑building and life‑skills development,” he said.
Local partners, including Jungle Cats Basketball Academy, the Nicol David Organisation and USJ20 Basketball Club, played a crucial role in delivering community‑based activities and youth engagement programmes.
Nicol highlighted sport’s wider impact, saying: “Sport is a powerful platform for youth development, helping them build resilience, self‑belief and life skills that support their overall growth.”
Jungle Cats head coach Alvin Kwong added that basketball often becomes a positive anchor for young people.
“It gives them routine, belonging and an opportunity to develop teamwork, discipline and perseverance.”
USJ20 Basketball Club’s Bryan Chieng said structured programmes create meaningful opportunities for young people to stay engaged, build relationships and develop positive values.
Across Asia, Sun Life has committed RM4.4mil towards the 2025-2026 Hoops + Health cycle, supporting programme delivery, coach education, facility upgrades and community initiatives.
The programme aims to impact 45,000 lives during this period.
