Sports are one of the most critical aspects of Malaysian culture. Many people in this Asian country engage in sports for recreation, exercise, and competitive purposes. In essence, sports help to keep lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes, in check, improve blood circulation, control stress, and manage weight. Sports also help with toning up muscles, strengthening bones, and developing the body and mind in growing children. Malaysians engage in sports by spectating and participation.
Popular Recreational and Participatory Sports in Malaysia
It is a no brainer that Malaysians love all sports and participate in one or more for various reasons. As such, the most popular recreational sports in Malaysia include running, exercise walking, aerobic exercise, cycling, and strength training. Swimming, hiking, climbing, bowling, scuba diving, fishing, and camping are other common recreational sports in Malaysia.
Also, it is not uncommon to find people playing amateur football every other week, even in the streets. With the internet revolution taking over the world, netizens in Malaysia love to play a range of games online or download the games to play on their computers.
Spectator Sports in Malaysia
As with other sports fanatics across all continents, most people from Malaysia adore football, such that they’re watching the sport on their TV screens every weekend or attend matches several times a year. The English Premier League (EPL) and La Liga are the most followed sports in Malaysia, with some people even digging deep in their pockets to watch matches.
In addition to football, other ball games most Malaysians identify with include rugby, volleyball, basketball, and handball. Mixed martial arts and badminton are other popular spectator sports in Malaysia.
As seen above, most people from Malaysia love sports, whether it is from a spectating or participatory aspect. The country also hosts significant sports events every now and then. The country became famous when it hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998.