Bar None

In March, it was reported that Formula E's return to Malaysia was in its advanced stage with a proposal between Sports Tech Holdings and Formula E - which aimed for Malaysia to host the season finale until 2030. A move that would potentially boost the economy by RM6.73 billion over the decade, creating over 10,000 jobs.

However, the plan fell through due to high costs and financial demands from Formula E. Now, Thailand has emerged as the prime candidate to host the season finale. Was this a missed opportunity for Malaysia or simply a futile effort?

Joining us on the program to discuss this further is Twentytwo13’s Haresh Deol.

Photo credit: cjmac / Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jombola, a homegrown sport developed in 2006, was designed to be versatile. The unique game combines the skills of tennis, squash, and ping pong and the points system of badminton to create a sport anybody can play - all you need to start exercising is pick up the racquet. Founded by Sukdev Singh, the sport utilises the badminton courts already found in schools, playgrounds, and parks, and features a specially designed racquet and foam ball that players can slow down or speed up to suit their playing style.

That's A Sport is a monthly series where we explore and discover lesser known sports from around the globe.

Photo credit: Jombola | Facebook

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After two decades in diving, national athlete Wendy Ng Yan Yee announced her retirement from top-level competition just last month. Wendy began as a rhythmic gymnast before being recruited into the national diving team at the age of 13. Excelling in the sport, her last competition was at the World Championships in Doha in February, a final qualifying event for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Unfortunately, she did not qualify for the women's 3-metre springboard solo and synchronized events, missing the chance to compete in her fourth consecutive Olympics. Shortly after, she announced her retirement and hinted at a possible future in coaching. Throughout her career, she has under her belt eight gold and seven silver medals across the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and SEA Games, as well as representing Malaysia in three Olympic Games. 

Photo credit: BERNAMA

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent incidents involving two national team players, Akhyar Rashid and Faisal Halim, have shocked the football community, with Akhyar being robbed and sustaining injuries, while Faisal suffered severe burns in an acid attack. This has raised concerns on safety just before the Super League -  which is set to start this weekend. Speculation has been rife on social media regarding whether these assaults were random or targeted prompting discussions on personal security measures like bodyguards. Sportswriter T Anivesh joins us, as we dissect.

Photo credit: Facebook/Selangor FC | Facebook

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a five month break anticipation mounts as the Malaysian Super League prepares to resume action this weekend with the highly anticipated clash in the Piala Sumbangsih (Charity Shield) featuring perennial contenders Johor Darul Takzim against Selangor. JDT's decade-long dominance, poised to potentially secure an impressive 11th consecutive league title - adds a layer of familiarity to the proceedings - however significant changes loom on the horizon with the introduction of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) and Financial Fair Play (FFP).

Photo credit: Facebook/Malaysian Football League

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the second episode of our Road To Paris series, where we're shining a spotlight on the Malaysian contingent heading to the upcoming Summer Olympics, we set our sights on national shooter Johnathan Wong. As he prepares to compete in the Men's 10m air pistol event for his sophomore Games, having previously competed in 2016 in Rio, he speaks to us about his almost-20-year career, the impact of facility woes on Malaysian shooters' training, his aspirations for himself and the sport in the country, and how he'll be shooting his shot at the podium this July.

Photo credit: Johnathan Wong (@johnnywg92) / X

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we dive into the electrifying realm of street luge, a pulse-pounding sport that marries the edgy vibes of the X-Games with the rebellious spirit of skateboarding. Picture this: athletes laying flat on custom luge boards, racing down sleek, paved tracks at mind-blowing speeds that can eclipse 100 km/h. A heart-stopping fusion of skateboarding, sledding, and sheer bravery.

Born in the free-wheeling '70s, street luge exploded onto the scene when visionary skateboarders discovered that going horizontal could supercharge their velocity, and by the mid '90s, it had become a headline act in extreme sports arenas, with the Street Luge World Cup and the X-Games.

Meet Abdil Mahdzan who's been tearing up the international circuit for 26 years. He made his mark in 1998 while studying in the US and has since clinched the world title seven times, putting Malaysia firmly on the street luge map.

Photo credit: Miko Montifar Photography via Abdil Mahdzan | Facebook

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

History was made in the past day or so, an achievement that marks a significant milestone not only for national athlete Sivasangari Subramaniam but also for Malaysian squash. In the inaugural London Classic Squash event, defying all expectations, Sivasangari made history by clinching the title, defeating world number two Hania El Hammamy of Egypt in the final match. Ranked 13th globally at the time, she had to overcome formidable opponents including the world number one and number four on her path to victory.

It's been nearly a decade since a Malaysian claimed the title at a gold-level PSA tournament, last achieved by Datuk Nicol David in 2015. To delve deeper into this remarkable feat, we are joined on the program by former professional squash player and vice-president of SRAM, Sharon Wee.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our Road to Paris series, we cast a look at the Malaysian contingent heading to the upcoming Summer Olympics. In our first episode, we shine a spotlight on diver Bertrand Rhodict Lises as he sets off for his first ever Games after being the first Malaysian athlete to secure his spot at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships. He joins us to discuss his diving career, how he's preparing for Paris 2024, his aspirations beyond the Olympics, and his hopes as part of the next generation of Malaysian diving.

Photo credit: REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has been offered the opportunity to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games by the Commonwealth Games Federation. The announcement has drawn mixed reactions from both the public and sports associations as we await Cabinet's decision on whether we'll be hosting the 23rd edition of the Games. We speak to Twentytwo13's Haresh Deol to discuss the potential benefits of hosting the Games or whether it's squandering resources.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.