Sport Check

In this episode of Sport Check, we discuss on F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang and whether the country should commit to host Formula 1 at the Sepang Circuit again, analysing Malaysia athletes performance during Asian Games and reviewing the Harimau Malaya’s progress in the FIFA ASEAN Cup.

Host

Kieran Raj

(Journalist, Scoop.my)

Sandru Narayanan

(Journalist, Scoop.my)

T.Vignesh

(Executive Editor, Scoop.my)

In this episode of Sport Check, Datuk Stuart Ramalingam, former FAM Secretary-General, former MFL CEO, and founder of SportsIntel, to unpack the massive commercial machine behind the FIFA World Cup.

They dive deep into how the World Cup evolved from a simple football tournament into a global cultural phenomenon and a multi-billion dollar enterprise. Datuk Stuart shares his expert insights into primary revenue streams like broadcasting and hospitality, discusses what domestic leagues can realistically learn from FIFA, and outlines how international tax exemption policies drive corporate sports sponsorship.

The conversation also touches on the future of sports consumption, the impact of technology like connected jerseys and biometric data on broadcasts, and a macro look at the collective responsibility needed to elevate Malaysian sports on the global stage.

Newly appointed Perbadanan Stadium Malaysia (PSM) chairman Dr. Helmy Haja Mydin joins Sport Check to discuss his transition from medicine to managing the country’s largest sporting complexes. Taking office just as internal governance challenges made headlines, Dr. Helmy shares his immediate plans to restore public trust and strengthen internal transparency.

Tune in to hear his long-term lifestyle vision to turn Bukit Jalil into a vibrant, community-centered destination and what he hopes his ultimate legacy will be as the man with "the right prescription" for Malaysian stadiums.

In this episode of Sport Check, we sit down with the Secretary General of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Datuk Seri Windsor, to dissect the significant governance weaknesses uncovered in the recent audit of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).Following a three month audit requested by FAM itself, the findings highlight critical administrative issues, including a long-standing failure to present annual budgets at the congress and the impact of the high profile heritage player scandal. Dr. Windsor explains why AFC and FIFA stepped in, what these reforms mean for the upcoming FAM elections, and why Malaysia once a standard-bearer for Asian football must now "reset" to survive in the modern era.#sportcheck #afc #fam #fifa #malaysianfootball

What does it truly take to become one of the best in the world? In this episode of Sport Check, we sit down with Shahmalarani Chandran, Malaysia’s elite karate kumite fighter in the 50kg category. With a career spanning over 15 years, Shahmalarani has transitioned from a multi-sport enthusiast to a multiple SEA Games medalist and a historic World Karate Championship silver medalist.

Join host Sandru Narayanan in this episode of Sport Check as he sits down with the President of the Negeri Sembilan Fencing Association (NSFA) Tengku Datuk’Mu'adzam Sadruddin to discuss the growth of this unique sport. Often referred to as "Physical Chess," fencing is a sport that combines mental sharpness with extreme physical discipline. In this deep dive, we explore how the association was revived in 2018 and its ambitious goals for the future.

In this episode of Sport Check, we sit down with legendary former Malaysian hockey international and Olympian, Dharma Raj. After a storied career that included guiding Malaysia's junior squad to a historic fourth-place finish at the 2013 Junior World Cup, Coach Dharma Raj made the bold move to Indonesia.

What began as a challenging 18-month period of isolation during the pandemic transformed into a revolutionary seven-year journey. Dharma Raj shares his incredible experience of rising to become the Technical Director for the Indonesian national hockey program and recently being inaugurated as the best coach in the country competing against 72 other sports.

In this episode of Sport Check, the multi-time national and Asia-Pacific rally champion opens up about his emotional return to competitive racing, the challenges of stepping back into the sport after more than a decade away, and the mindset that pushed him to compete again at the highest level.Gunaseelan also reflects on his impressive podium finish at the International Rally in China, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the event, the pressure of competing internationally again, and how modern rally racing has evolved since his earlier championship years.From balancing speed and control to mentoring the next generation of racers, this conversation dives deep into the realities of motorsport, the sacrifices behind the scenes, and what continues to fuel his passion for rally racing.Whether you’re a longtime motorsport fan or just discovering the world of rally racing, this episode offers an inspiring look at resilience, comeback stories, and the enduring spirit of competition.

Will Malaysians even get to watch the FIFA World Cup this year, with broadcasting rights still up in the air?

It’s the question dominating Sport Check this week — and the same one echoing across mamak tables nationwide.

Hosts:

T. Vignesh

Sandru Narayanan

Keran Raj Harideran

Seven players banned, a “staff mistake” blamed, and FIFA sanctions - what really happened?

The Sport Check Podcast team breaks down the blunder shaking Malaysian football inside the FIFA ban that left seven players sidelined and FAM under fire, and what it means for Harimau Malaya’s upcoming matches.

#SportCheckPodcast #MalaysiaFootball #FIFABan #FAM #HarimauMalaya