PUTRAJAYA, Nov 4 — The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) will not approve the HYROX Kuala Lumpur 2026 event, scheduled for December 10 to December 13, unless the sponsorship from an alcoholic beverage company is withdrawn entirely.
Its minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said this included the removal of all related logos, trademarks, and promotional materials from the event's official channels and competition venue.
KBS is still processing the application to organise the event and has not yet approved it.
"For the record, the application is still being processed and has not been approved. KBS has neither granted approval nor provided any funding for the event.
"Clause 5.2 of the Safe Sport Code (Third Edition, 2024) explicitly prohibits individuals or organisations involved in the tobacco, electronic cigarette, or alcoholic beverage businesses from organising, sponsoring, promoting, advertising, selling, or displaying their trademarks at sporting events approved or supported by KBS and its agencies," he said in a statement today.
All companies applying for licences to organise sporting events must declare their commitment to complying with the Safe Sport Code.
Dr Taufiq also reminded the organisers that Section 36(1) of the Sports Development Act 1997 (Act 576) prohibits companies from engaging in sporting activities without a licence issued by the Sports Commissioner of Malaysia.
Offenders could face fines ranging from RM50,000 to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
He emphasised that the regulations applied to all organisers without exception, including tobacco, electronic cigarette, and alcoholic beverage companies, regardless of brand or target audience.
"KBS will not compromise on ensuring a safe and healthy sporting environment for all participants," Dr Taufiq said.
Screenshots recently went viral on social media announcing an alcoholic beverage company as the "Official Beer Partner" of an international fitness competition to be held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
