By Darlene Elena Xuan, Grace Deih, and Ky Coomby
Imagine hearing the cheers of thousands of people cheering as you walk through the many
different fields of sports or seeing Harimau Malaya, the Malaysian national football team,
score a goal. Malaysia is filled with a variety of sports and produces great athletes, from the
popular sports of badminton with Datuk Lee Chong Wei, who won the silver medal in the
Olympics three times, or Datuk Nicol Ann David, who was the first person to win eight
World Open crowns.
Football
Football holds a significant place in Malaysia, standing as one of the most popular sports in
the country. Malaysia’s sporting prowess was highlighted when it hosted the FIFA U-20
World Cup, known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, in 1997. Further emphasizing its
stature, the country co-hosted the Asian Cup 2007 alongside Indonesia, Thailand, and
Vietnam in 2007.
The Malaysia national football team proudly bears the moniker Harimau, inspired by the
majestic Malaysian tiger. Originating for the 1963 Merdeka Tournament, the Malaya national
football team, known as Harimau Malaya, clinched victory in the second season of the
Merdeka Cup back in 1958. This triumph was captured in a snapshot that featured Tunku
Abdul Rahman, the first Prime Minister of Malaya, who concurrently served as the president
of the Football Association of Malaya & Asian Football Confederation.
The competitive spirit was not limited to the mainland, as Malaya and Singapore engaged in
frequent international tournaments like the Merdeka Tournament. Meanwhile, North Borneo
and Sarawak sought glory in the Borneo Cup. The inaugural match of the Malaysian football
team took place at the Merdeka Stadium on 8 August 1963, showcasing the combined strength of Singapore and Malaya. A significant milestone was reached in 1971 when James
Wong of Sabah became the first player from East Malaysia to represent the country.
The crowning moment arrived when Malaysia qualified for the 1972 Olympics in Munich,
displaying their prowess by triumphing over Japan 3–0, South Korea 1–0, Taiwan 3–0, and
the Philippines 5–0 in the lead-up. Although they secured a commendable 3–0 victory against
the United States, they faced setbacks, conceding defeats of 0–3 to West Germany and 0–6 to
Morocco, ultimately securing the 10th position in the final standings.
In the rich tapestry of Malaysian football, Mokhtar Dahari stands as an esteemed figure, often
hailed as a legendary football player for the Malaysian team. His exceptional talent was
evident in the remarkable tally of 125 goals in 167 appearances for Malaysia, which included
matches played against club sides, national ‘B’ teams, and selection teams, cementing his
position as the world’s top scorer for men’s national teams.
Badminton
Datuk Lee Chong Wei, a former Malaysian badminton player, was born on the 21st of
October 1982. He was scouted for the national team by Misbun Sidek, a renowned badminton
player who recognized Lee’s impressive potential. Under Misbun’s rigorous tutelage, Lee
developed a solid foundation and received continuous encouragement. However, Lee faced
several setbacks due to various tendon injuries, causing him to miss multiple tournaments.
In 2008, Lee was forced to withdraw from the China Open and Hong Kong Open due to a
recurring knee injury, and during the Thomas Cups in 2012, he suffered a torn tendon in his
ankle, requiring a three to four-month recovery period. These injuries significantly impeded
his preparation for the 2012 London Olympics. Two years later, a torn thigh muscle prevented
him from securing his third champion win at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. In 2017, he further encountered a setback when he tore his medial collateral ligament during training, posing a serious threat to his career.
In August 2014, Datuk Lee Chong Wei faced suspension due to an anti-doping violation after
testing positive for the banned anti-inflammatory agent dexamethasone. He successfully
explained that the drug was inadvertently taken during stem-cell treatment for his thigh
injury, leading to a backdated eight-month ban. Consequently, his medal from the 2014 BWF
World Championships was revoked, causing him to drop to 181 in the world rankings.
Despite these challenges, Lee’s remarkable career includes a first-place global ranking for
349 weeks, with a 199-week streak from 21 August 2008 to 14 June 2012.
Lee stands as the fourth Malaysian player to achieve this feat, following Rashid Sidek, Roslin
Hashim, and Wong Choong Hann, and is the only Malaysian to hold the top ranking for over
a year. As a triple silver medalist at the Olympic Games, Lee became the sixth Malaysian to
win an Olympic medal, securing his first silver medal in 2008, a historic moment for
Malaysia as it marked the first time a Malaysian had reached the finals in the men’s singles
event. This accomplishment earned him the prestigious title of Datuk, with then Malaysian
Prime Minister Najib Razak hailing him as a national hero. Lee replicated this achievement
twice more in 2012 and 2016.
On 13 June 2019, Lee officially announced his retirement after battling nose cancer, which
prevented his return to professional competition, effectively concluding his illustrious 19-
year career. He remains the most successful Malaysian Olympian in history.
Squash
Datuk Nicol Ann David, a former Malaysian squash player, was born on August 26, 1983.
She grappled with the pressures and challenges of transitioning from a junior player to a
professional athlete. Like many sports professionals, she encountered injuries, though none were severe enough to halt her career. One notable setback was a strained hamstring and
adductor injury, which forced her to miss the 2018 British Open. Additionally, she withdrew
from the TC National Squash Championships due to back pain.
Nicol holds the distinction of being the first person to clinch eight World Open crowns. Her
tryst with squash commenced at the tender age of five, with formal coaching beginning at
eight. Her competitive journey began at nine when she secured the silver medal in the under-
14 category of the Penang State Junior Championship. Following a series of victories, she
made history in 1998, becoming the youngest woman to win a World Junior Championship at
the age of fifteen.
In January 2006, she achieved the number one female player ranking in the world, a
milestone never previously attained by an Asian woman. Nicol continued to add to her
illustrious career before retiring in 2019. Her decision to retire stemmed from a sense of
fulfilment, believing that she had achieved all she could in squash and that it was time to
embark on new endeavours.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Malaysia boasts a diverse sports landscape, from its rich footballing history to
its accomplished athletes, such as Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Datuk Nicol Ann David, who
have earned accolades and medals in various competitions and the Olympics. Sports have
served as a unifying force, bringing people together as they fervently support their national teams.
