‎‎He said the global sports industry was projected to grow by 54% from US$388 billion (RM1.6 trillion) in 2020 to an estimated US$600 billion (RM2.5 trillion) this year.

Speaking at the Asean sports industry expo here, Zahid said Malaysia’s sports sector was valued at US$4.17 billion (RM17.6 billion) in 2022, and recorded a remarkable 12% growth over the previous year, surpassing the global average.

Zahid said that Asean, with a combined population of over 680 million, holds immense potential to become the next global hub for the‎ sports economy, which spans sports tourism, wellness, talent development, high-value manufacturing, marketing, digital innovation, and professional services.

He said Malaysia was building an ecosystem in which “innovation fuels performance and opportunity”.

The government would also strengthen sports science, medicine, and nutrition to support athletes to ensure they competed “not just harder, but smarter and safer”.

‎‎ Zahid also said that the sports industry opens new horizons for high-value employment, especially for the youth. “Through TVET (technical and vocational education and training), we are preparing a generation not only to play, but to design, manage, and innovate within the sports economy,” he said.