Malaysia Seeks Stronger Support System to Develop Future World-Class Motorsports Riders
PETALING JAYA – Malaysia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) is exploring new approaches to ensure that the development of young motorsports talent in the country continues sustainably, including potential support mechanisms in collaboration with Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and the Ministry of Finance.
Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to nurturing promising athletes and ensuring they receive the resources needed to compete at the highest level of international racing.
According to him, the rise of Malaysian Moto3 rider Hakim Danish Ramli has become a powerful symbol of the potential that young Malaysian racers possess when given the right support and opportunities.
“The journey of Hakim Danish shows that Malaysian youth have the discipline, determination and talent to challenge the world’s best riders when the right support system is in place,” he said in a statement issued by the ministry.
He added that the government remains committed to strengthening the country’s motorsports ecosystem through collaboration with key stakeholders including the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM), government agencies, industry partners and corporate sponsors.
Funding Focus on Major International Sporting Events
However, Mohammed Taufiq explained that funding decisions made previously have prioritised certain sports for 2026 under the National Sports Trust Fund (KWASN).
Under the revised policy, priority will be given to sports that are contested in major international multi-sport events such as the Olympic Games, Asian Games, SEA Games, Paralympic Games and ASEAN Para Games.
The minister said the decision was made after considering the major sporting events that Malaysia’s national contingent will participate in over the coming years.
Among the upcoming competitions are the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, the Asian and Para Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, as well as the 2027 SEA Games, which Malaysia will host.
He noted that focusing resources on these events is important to ensure the country’s athletes are well prepared and capable of delivering strong performances.
Despite this prioritisation, he acknowledged that success in sports outside those events can still significantly enhance Malaysia’s reputation on the global stage.
RM3 Million Invested in Developing Young Racers
To support the growth of young motorsports talent, the government allocated RM3 million last year to SIC through the National Sports Trust Fund.
The funding was used to implement the 2025 High Performance Motorsports Development Programme, which focuses on nurturing emerging Malaysian riders.
From the total allocation, RM1.159 million was provided to support Hakim Danish Ramli’s participation in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.
Another young rider, Qabil Irfan Azlan, received RM1.3 million to compete in the ESBK Talent Cup.
Meanwhile, Sharf Muhriz and Adam Danial were allocated RM540,000 to participate in the Asia Talent Cup.
The financial support covers essential costs such as race participation, team operations, training programmes and overall athlete development during the racing season.
Blueprint to Build Future MotoGP Champions
In addition to these allocations, KBS also approved an additional RM1 million through KWASN to support Hakim Danish’s participation in the FIM JuniorGP World Championship 2025.
The move forms part of Malaysia’s broader strategy under the Motorsports Development Blueprint (MDEV), which outlines a long-term pathway for developing local racing talent.
The blueprint aims to establish a structured development system that nurtures riders from grassroots programmes all the way to elite global competitions such as MotoGP.
Mohammed Taufiq expressed confidence that with consistent investment, strong partnerships and well-planned development programmes, Malaysia can produce more riders capable of competing on the global stage.
He said sustained commitment from both the public and private sectors will be crucial in ensuring the country continues to produce world-class motorsports talent in the years ahead.
-wilayah.com.my
