Sport is a major activity in local universities, which often run an annual sports event. In September 2010, Malaysian sports officials announced an agreement with some of Scotland's top sports organisations to develop partnerships to use Scottish expertise to create a successful sports industry in Malaysia. The Malaysian government designated 2011 as the 'Year of Sports Industry', and the Sports Minister outlined its scope and importance, which includes exploring the viability of hosting major international sporting events.
Football
Association football is one of the most popular sport in Malaysia. It is played on all levels, from children to middle-aged men. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is the governing body for football in Malaysia. The home stadium of Malaysia national football team is the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
The Malaysia national football team (nicknamed Harimau Malaya) represents Malaysia at an international level. The national team capture the country's first major international football title when they became the champion of 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup. The Malaysia national under-23 football team won a gold medal in 2009 and 2011 Southeast Asian Games. The Malaysia national team has qualified for the Asian Cup in 1976, 1980 and 2007 AFC Asian Cup, however unable to move through next stage. In the FIFA World Rankings, Malaysia's highest standing was in the first release of the figures, in August 1993, at 75th.
Malaysia Super League, Malaysia Premier League and Malaysia FAM League is a professional football league in Malaysia. Some of the major teams include: Kelantan FA, Terengganu FA, Selangor FA, Pahang FA, Kedah FA, Perak FA and Negeri Sembilan FA. Kelantan FA as the 2011 Malaysia Super League champions and Terengganu FA as the 2011 Malaysia FA Cup winner qualify to enter the 2012 AFC Cup. However Kelantan managed to advance to the quarterfinal while Terengganu FA advanced to the round of 16.
Badminton
Malaysia national badminton team has won 3 silver medals and 2 bronze medals in badminton in Olympic Games since the sport was first introduced to the Olympics in 1992. In 1992 Razif Sidek and Jalani Sidek won the bronze medal in men's doubles. In 1996 Rashid Sidek won the bronze medal in men's singles and Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock won the silver medal. Lee Chong Wei won two silver medal each in 2008 and 2012.
Lee Chong Wei is currently ranked world number 1 in men's singles, Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong ranked world number 2 in men's doubles and Chan Peng Soon & Goh Liu Ying ranked world number 3 in mixed doubles. The Malaysia badminton team is currently ranked world number 6 in world team ranking.
Malaysia won the Thomas Cup five times and became as the runner-up of Thomas Cup eight times. Malaysia also held its own international badminton tournament, the Malaysia Super Series that had been held annually since 1982.
Squash
In Malaysia, squash is governed by Squash Racquets Association Of Malaysia (SRAM). Nicol David is a seven-time world champion and currently ranked world number 1 in woman squash since 2006. Her teammate, Low Wee Wern ranked world number 7. Mohd Azlan Iskandar and Ong Beng Hee is the top male squash player in Malaysia
Cycling
Malaysia host two international road cycling tours; such as the annual Tour de Langkawi and Jelajah Malaysia. Both races are part of the UCI Asia Tour. Tour de Langkawi is the biggest cycling event in Asia and it is the only one in Asia to have granted two hors-category (2.HC). The Jelajah Malaysia is the oldest bicycle race in Malaysia, touring around Malaysia.
Track cycling is a growing sport in Malaysia. Malaysia have several velodrome such as Cheras Velodrome and Velodrome Rakyat, Ipoh. Extreme cycling, such as mountain biking and urban freestyle BMX is also popular among youth in main cities in Malaysia. Riding bicycle is considered as the mode of transportation as well as a recreational and leisure sport.
Hockey
The Malaysia national field hockey team is Malaysia's representative in field hockey tournaments around the world. In the usual course of things, the team is made up of the best field hockey players in Malaysia. The governing body for the sports is the Malaysian Hockey Confederation.
As of 11 August 2012, the men's hockey team ranked 13th in the world and 4th in Asia, by the International Hockey Federation. The women's hockey team ranked 22th in the world and 5th in Asia. The men's hockey team won a silver medal in 2010 Asian Games. The Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) is a top league competition for field hockey clubs in the Malaysian hockey league system.
Rugby union
The Malaysia national rugby union team represents Malaysia in international rugby union. The governing body is the Malaysian Rugby Union. The team is currently ranked world number 63. Malaysia have yet to make their debut at the Rugby World Cup, but have attempted to qualify since the South African World Cup in 1995. MRU Super League is the top flight of rugby union league in Malaysia.
Motorsport
Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix
Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix
Marathon
Malaysia host some international marathon event; such as the annual Kuala Lumpur Marathon, Borneo International Marathon and The Allianz Penang Bridge International Marathon.
Martial arts
The indigenous martial arts or silat are practiced competitively through sparring and solo demonstrations. The local form of kickboxing, tomoi, is practiced mainly in the northern states. A wide variety of Chinese and Indian martial arts are also popular. As most Malaysian Indians are of Tamil origin, the Tamil art of silambam is particularly prominent.
Traditional sports/games
Sepak takraw is one of traditional sports in Malaysia. Malaysia is currently ranked world number two in men's regu of sepak takraw. Among the traditional games in Malaysia are wau bulan, gasing, congkak, Malay kite, batu seremban and draughts(dam haji).
Other sports
As of December 2012, Abdil Mahdzan is currently ranked world number 1 in street luge, earning the title of 2012 IGSA World Cup Series Street Luge Champion for the year. From 2001 to 2012, Abdil has travelled across the world and competed on all six continents, i.e. Australia, Austria, Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. His personal best maximum speed is 131 km/h, achieved at the 2011 IGSA World Championship in Teutonia, Brazil.
As of December 2012, Hizlee Rais is currently ranked world number two in men's singles of bowls and Emma Saroji ranked world number 16 in women's singles of bowls.
Competition
Sukan Malaysia is a national games in Malaysia held every year. Terengganu become the sport powerhouse in Malaysia sport industry followed by Selangor, Pahang, Sarawak and Wilayah Persekutuan based on the medal tally of 2012 Sukma Games.
Malaysia also participates in international sporting event such as the Olympic Games, the Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games and the Southeast Asian Games. Malaysia has hosted the 1998 Commonwealth Games and came in fourth place in the medal tally. Malaysia also has hosted Southeast Asian Games five times and has become the overall champion in the gold medal tally in the 2001 Southeast Asian Games. Malaysian athletes have won a total of six Olympic medals, in badminton and diving.
Famous sportspeople
In May 2012 Abdil Mahdzan is currently ranked number one in the world in Street Luge. From 2001 to 2012, Abdil has travelled across the world and competed on all six continents, i.e. Australia, Austria, Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. His personal best maximum speed is 131 km/h, achieved at the 2011 IGSA World Championship in Teutonia, Brazil.
Lee Chong Wei in 2010 was ranked number one in the world for Men Singles badminton and the Men's Double team is at world's ranking number two as of December 2010.
Safuan Said in 2010 was ranked number one in the world in World Bowls Singles, in the Men's Singles category, and Siti Zalina Ahmad was ranked number four in Women's Singles (as at 1 May 2010).
As of August 2012, local Squash player Nicol David was still world number one (since 2006), while Low Wee Wern was ranked number 11 on Women's World Squash Federation Rankings
No comments:
Post a Comment