SHAH ALAM, Oct 17 — The sports industry holds strong potential to become a key driver of the state's new economic growth, in line with the state government’s vision to develop a more structured, competitive, and high-impact sports ecosystem.
State executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi said they view the sports sector not merely as a recreational activity, but as a strategic economic chain capable of generating employment opportunities, investments, and industry development.
“The sports industry is one of the sectors being explored in Selangor. Although this issue has been discussed for some time, there has not yet been a clear framework to strengthen the sports industry ecosystem.
“InsyaAllah (God willing), we have discussed with Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari to make sports industry development one of the key pillars under the Second Selangor Plan (RS-2),” he said.
Najwan was speaking to Media Selangor during the Asean Sports Industry Expo (ASIE) 2025, organised by the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) at the Setia City Convention Centre today.
He also thanked KBS for organising the inaugural expo, describing it as an important platform to strengthen strategic networks among industry players, stakeholders, and the state government.
“This expo creates an opportunity for all parties to assess the potential of the sports industry as a new economic pillar, not merely as a leisure activity,” Najwan said.
The expo, officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, is the largest sports trade and industry networking platform in Southeast Asia, and runs from today to Sunday (October 19).
ASIE gathers key players from various sectors, including sports facilities, academies, retail, technology, health, and e-sports, to strengthen regional cooperation and open up new investment opportunities.
The event also features industry forums, business matching sessions, and exhibitions showcasing the latest sports innovations, further solidifying Malaysia’s position as Asean’s hub for sports industry development.
