Tunku Imran and SportsExcel: Transforming Malaysian Youth Sports

For over three decades, SportsExcel has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of Malaysian sports, thanks to the vision and leadership of Y.A.M. Tunku Imran. Founded to bridge a critical gap in the development of young athletes, SportsExcel has transformed Malaysia’s sporting landscape by providing a structured and competitive platform for the nation’s emerging talents.

The Birth of SportsExcel

Recognising the challenges faced by young athletes in Malaysia, Tunku Imran established SportsExcel to offer regular and high-quality competition opportunities for athletes aged 16 to 18. At the time, national school sports council events, such as those organised by MSSM, were limited to once-a-year carnivals, which did not provide sufficient exposure for promising athletes to compete at a high level.

Determined to address this issue, Tunku Imran spearheaded the creation of SportsExcel, a privately funded initiative aimed at nurturing young athletes by offering them a consistent and competitive environment. The organisation began with 25 charter members, each contributing RM25,000 annually, ensuring a strong financial foundation to support various underfunded sports.

Focusing on the Right Sports

Instead of mainstream sports such as football, hockey, and badminton, which were already well-supported, SportsExcel focused on disciplines like squash, bowling, and golf—sports that had potential but lacked structured development programmes. The format of SportsExcel’s leagues ensured that young athletes played multiple matches in each event, providing them with valuable game-time experience rather than being eliminated after a single loss.

This model proved to be a game-changer, allowing athletes to refine their skills and gain confidence by competing regularly against their peers.

Nurturing Champions

SportsExcel has been instrumental in producing world-class athletes, including squash legend Datuk Nicol David, who went on to become an eight-time world champion and was voted the greatest female squash player of all time. Other notable graduates include Shalin Zulkifli in bowling and top golfer Gavin Green, currently competing on the DP World Tour. The programme has also helped many young athletes secure sports scholarships at prestigious universities in the US and Australia, furthering both their academic and athletic careers.

Expanding International Participation

Under Tunku Imran’s leadership, SportsExcel has expanded its reach by facilitating international tournaments and exchanges. One key initiative is the US Kids Golf events, where young Malaysian golfers compete for a chance to play in the prestigious Pinehurst Golf Club in the United States. Additionally, the partnership with the Hainan Junior Golf Association has led to an annual tournament between Malaysian and Chinese junior golfers, further enhancing international exposure for young talents.

Innovating and Evolving

SportsExcel continues to evolve, adapting to the changing sports landscape. Recent initiatives include a track cycling series at the National Velodrome in Nilai, developed in collaboration with Yayasan Sime Darby. This project has significantly boosted the popularity of track cycling in Malaysia. The organisation also actively supports women’s sports, including women’s cricket and rugby, reflecting its commitment to gender inclusivity in athletics.

A Lasting Legacy

With an estimated 65,000 young athletes having benefitted from its programmes, SportsExcel remains a cornerstone of Malaysia’s youth sports development. Tunku Imran’s vision was never just about creating champions; it was about giving every Malaysian athlete a fair chance to pursue their dreams. SportsExcel embodies this mission by providing young talents with the platform, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed.

As the organisation continues to innovate and expand, its impact on Malaysian sports will only grow, ensuring that future generations of athletes can rise to international prominence, just as Nicol David and many others have done before them.