The development of sport structure in Malaysia: The historical analysis and central government involvements Mohd Salleh Aman,

Ph.D Assoc. Professor in Sport Management Sport Centre, University of Malaya, Malaysia For SOUTHEAST ASIAN GAMES CONFERENCE 2011 HOTEL SAHID JAYA, JL. JEND. SUDIRMAN, JAKARTA SOLIDARITY FOR UNITY THROUGH SPORT 8th November 2011

Abstract Sports are part of Malaysias traditional heritage. They are interwoven with the local culture. Several forms of sports were and remain an expression of culture distinctiveness. By the end of the 19th century, many of sport and recreational activities had become more structured under the influence of British colonial rule in Malaya. Athletic, cricket, tennis, badminton and football (soccer) were among the earliest sports introduced. Malaya became a world champion in badminton, taking the Thomas Cup in 1949. After independence (1957), the government supported the development of sport because it believed that sport could intergrate people, therefore fulfil national objectives of promoting national unity. The Malaysia Central governments involvement in administering and funding sport development (Olympic Council of Malaysia; National Sport Council of Malaysia Act 1971; The National Sports Policy of Malaysia, 1988 and; Sport Development Act 1997), both Sport For All and Elite Sport, has increased significantly overtime. Overall, in the development of sport structure, Malaysian governments have, from the time of independence, always been far more pro-active in using sport to promote nationhood goals, notably the pursuit of harmonious multiculturalism.