The sports industry is booming in Malaysia, and it can provide very lucrative opportunities for athletes if they’re successful and talented enough in their field. Although the country may not be as famed for its sports stars as other places in the world, there are many people worth shouting about, all of whom have managed to become some of the wealthiest names in the Malaysian sporting industry.
The Most Popular Sports in Malaysia
A wide range of sports are played across Malaysia, but by far the most popular is badminton, with an estimated 1 million players in the country. Many Malaysians closely follow international badminton events, as well as the Malaysian Open, which draws in talented athletes from all over. Also well-loved in the country are soccer, swimming, cycling, squash, field hockey, rugby, and more.
In addition to Western sports, the Malaysian population enjoys traditional games like Sepak Takraw, which features elements of both soccer and volleyball. The online sports betting industry in Malaysia is a prominent part of the market, thanks to the love that the country has for all kinds of sports. Although local bookmakers aren’t yet available, there are plenty of opportunities for Malaysians to bet at overseas sites, and, according to Hafiz Tan, fans can bet on various football markets much like in other parts of the world. Match Result, Both Teams to Score, and Over/Under Goals are all popular, as are player props and Asian handicap bets. Despite that, it’s international football that’s more popular in Malaysia, with no local football stars making our list below…
1. Lee Chong Wei
As mentioned, badminton is by far the most popular sport in Malaysia, and Lee Chong Wei is the most famed badminton player in the country. Although now retired, it’s rumored that Lee Chong Wei built a net worth of over US$16 million during his time on the courts. As well as being one of the wealthiest people in the Malaysian sports industry, he also managed to keep a #1 world ranking for three consecutive years!
2. Nicol David
When it comes to squash, there is only one name worth mentioning: Nicol David. Thanks to her immeasurable talent, she earned herself the place of one of Malaysia’s wealthiest sports stars. She reached the world #1 ranking and managed to stay in that position for a staggering 108 months in a row. Her net worth has been disputed, but some sources state that it comes in at around US$88 million.
3. Pandelela Rinong Pamg
Pandelela Rinong Pamg hails from Sarawak and worked her way up to becoming one of the best female divers and athletes in Malaysia. She has won countless Olympic medals, including a silver medal in the women’s 10m synchronized platform dive. As well as being one of the most talented divers, she’s also one of the richest, with impressive earnings of up to US$5 million.
4. Farah Ann Abdul Hadi
Farah Ann Abdul Hadi was always going to be one of the wealthiest and most successful sportspeople in Malaysia, thanks to the fact that she started practicing gymnastics at the age of 3. Farah retired back in 2022, but not before racking up US$5 million and becoming respected by gymnasts the world over. In her career, she was able to win 4 gold medals during the South East Asian (SEA) Games in team and floor exercise categories.
5. Julian Lee Zhi-Jie
With Malaysia having such a warm climate, it might not come as a surprise that there are not as many winter athletes. But Julian Lee Zhi-Jie stood out from the crowd and went on to become one of the wealthiest figure skaters the country has ever seen. He has won five National Championships and earned a gold medal in the SEA Games. His exact net worth is unknown, but thanks to his patriotism and talent, it’s sure to be in the seven-figure ballpark.
6. Welson Sim
Welson Sim is unique in the sense that he had to beat all the odds to get to where he is today. Despite struggling with childhood asthma, he pushed through to become one of Malaysia’s, if not the world’s, best swimmers. He was the first Malaysian male to qualify for the men’s 400m freestyle in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games and has numerous gold and silver medals under his belt. His international recognition and stellar reputation have earned him upwards of US$2 million, according to some sources.
