SHAH ALAM: Malaysia aims to position itself as a regional hub for sports technology and innovation, transforming passion into careers and ideas into enterprise, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the multibillion-dollar sports industry in Malaysia and across the Asean region holds immense promise but requires sound policies and strong political will to reach its full potential.
“With a combined population of over 680 million, Asean holds immense potential to become the next global hub for the sports economy – covering the entire value chain from sports tourism, wellness, and talent development to high-value manufacturing, marketing, digital innovation and professional services,” Ahmad Zahid said at the Asean Sports Industry Expo 2025 yesterday.
The event was also attended by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and sports industry players.
Ahmad Zahid noted that Malaysia’s sports sector was valued at US$4.17bil (RM17.62bil) in 2022 and recorded a robust 12.1% year-on-year growth, surpassing the global average.
“Malaysia aims to become the regional hub for sports technology and innovation – a place where young people can turn passion into careers, creativity into enterprise, and innovation into the future,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said closer Asean collaboration could foster expertise sharing, build stronger training networks, and make sports a platform for both economic and social progress.
“This Asean Sports Industry Expo 2025 embodies that vision – a space where ideas become partnerships and where the region’s best minds come together to shape the future of sports.
“All these efforts align with the National TVET Policy 2030, which aims to nurture skilled, innovative, and visionary young Malaysians ready to lead the next era of Asean sporting excellence,” he said.
He added that the government had continued to increase investments in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), with allocations rising from RM6.8bil in 2024 to RM7.5bil in 2025, and further to RM7.9bil in Budget 2026.
“This is clear proof of the government’s commitment to position TVET as a national priority and a key driver of future growth,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid also emphasised that sports should remain people-centred, uniting communities, families, and nations through shared joy and camaraderie.
Speaking to the media later, Ahmad Zahid said policies related to the sports industry should remain consistent and not change with every new minister.
Earlier, Yeoh announced that the Asean Sports Industry Expo 2025 would see key industry players signing four memorandums of understanding worth a total of RM36.1bil.
She also urged sports industry stakeholders to strengthen their data collection practices.
“I encourage the gathering of data because it will be a powerful tool for us to develop meaningful policies that can support and grow the sports industry,” she said.
