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Malaysia has lots to offer sports enthusiasts and thrill-seekers, from sports events and activities to adventure or eco-leisure tourism escapades. The country’s vast natural resources and excellent infrastructure serve as ideal venues for these adrenalin-inducing events.
Sport Galore
Attention sports fans! Malaysia has one of the best sporting facilities in the world and plays host to many of the main events in the world sports itinerary. The perpetual sunny, tropical climate the country enjoys allows many sports to be played throughout the year. From equestrian to motor sports, sports fans will be thrilled with the many exciting events that take place here.
Thrills on Wheels
The 5.5km long Sepang F1 circuit is acknowledged to be one of the most sophisticated F1 circuits in the world. This track features super quick straights and challenging corners that promise thrilling high-speed action to keep you cheering for your favourite drivers. This circuit is also the host for the Malaysian World Superbike Championship and the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix for racing enthusiasts who prefer high-speed action on two wheels.
The Big Bicycle Race
Le Tour de Langkawi is a major annual cycling race on the international calendar. This year’s championship race, which was the event’s 10 th anniversary, covered 1,282.6km, beginning from Langkawi and ending at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. Riders travelled through 10 stages across eight states and one federal territory to complete the challenging route which included hilly terrains. This year’s race was won by Ryan Cox from South Africa.
Stable Show
A latest addition to Malaysia’s showcase of international sporting events is equestrian. The KL Grand Prix, the country’s very first international equestrian event, made its debut in October 2003 and featured the world’s top riders and horses. It is a five-star CSI international show jumping event.
Some other major sports event to look forward to is the Langkawi Ironman Triathlon 2005, KL International Tower Jump and the F1 Powerboat World Championship Malaysian Grand Prix 2005 UIM Formula 1 World Powerboat Championship.
National Sports Complex
The National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil is a fully-equipped one-stop sports venue that houses the National Stadium, Putra Stadium, National Hockey Stadium, National Aquatic Centre and National Squash Centre. The 76,000 sq m elliptical outdoor National Stadium was the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Kuala Lumpur ’98 - XVI Commonwealth Games. It is the most prominent sports building at the National Sports Complex and can accommodate 100,000 spectators.
The Putra Stadium is a multi-purpose indoor stadium that was designed as a sports centre and venue for functions such as concerts and conferences. With a specialist integrated sports facility that is constructed to meet rigorous standards of the International Swimming Federation (FINA), the National Aquatic Centre is just the place to hold international swimming and diving competitions. The National Hockey Stadium complex comprises two stadiums, the National Hockey Stadiums I and II. Both stadiums employ the Astroturf pitch. The former has a seating capacity of 12,000 while the latter can only accommodate 2,000 people. The National Sports Complex also houses the National Squash Centre, which is a highly sophisticated squash facility that has been rated among the biggest and best equipped in the world.
For thrill-seekers who are not content with just watching from the stands, Malaysia has the best in eco-tourism activities such as mountain climbing, jungle trekking, cave exploring, bird watching, diving, white-water rafting and angling. |
