POWERMAN Malaysia Poised To Boost Sports Tourism For Visit Malaysia 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 (Bernama) -- POWERMAN Malaysia, a world-class duathlon event, is set to become a key driver for the country's sports tourism sector, especially for the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.

POWERMAN Malaysia Event Director Niklas Yong Tzy Foong said the event, which will take place from September 18 to 20, is targeting up to 5,000 participants from both within and outside the country.

This is expected to provide a significant economic impact on the local hospitality and business sectors.

"Our participants do not only include locals but people from all corners of the world; so usually, they will attend with their spouses and children, whether as supporters or as participants themselves.

"Given that this event lasts for three days, they will certainly stay here for a few days while exploring Malaysia. This is what we mean by sports tourism," he said while appearing as a guest on the Apa Khabar Malaysia programme produced by Bernama TV today.

According to him, although the POWERMAN series is also held in other countries such as Switzerland, Germany, Brazil, and the United States, Malaysia continues to hold the record as the location with the highest number of participants in the world.

Yong noted that this success is due to the strategic and iconic location of Dataran Putrajaya as the country's administrative center, which also offers suitable race routes and an organised city atmosphere.

Elaborating further, Yong said the sports event is designed for all skill levels, from elite athletes competing at the international level to amateur participants who are just venturing into endurance sports, with each category structured according to their respective ability levels.

He added that, more interestingly, children are not left behind through the PowerKids programme, which allows the entire family to participate on the same day in their respective events.

According to Yong, in addition to organising cycling and running events, the organisers are providing over 60 local and international exhibition booths, involving various sharing sessions, exhibits, and activities open to the public to enrich the visitor experience.

"From the beginning, our vision was to make POWERMAN Malaysia an event that can be enjoyed by all walks of life. That is why our expo is open to the public, not just participants," he said.

Furthermore, Yong said collaborations with local sports communities such as Gruppetto and Voltra have helped expand reach and increase public awareness regarding endurance sports in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Gruppetto Sdn Bhd Managing Director Khairy Sulaiman said the role as a "clubhouse partner" in POWERMAN Malaysia is not just a branding collaboration, but rather an active involvement in helping participants make comprehensive preparations leading up to the event.

He stated that his team provides structured training programs, including group cycling and running sessions, and guides community members until they are ready to stand at the starting line and finish the race.

"At Gruppetto, we believe endurance sports are about the journey of challenging oneself. We want to ensure every individual, including those just starting out, does not go through the process alone, but rather becomes part of a mutually supportive community," he said.

-- BERNAMA