The Yayasan Kecemerlangan Sukan Malaysia or Foundation for Malaysian Sporting Excellence (SportExcel) was incorporated on 12th August, 1989, as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act, 1965 and launched on 8th April, 1991. SportExcel was born out of a vision to serve the cause of Malaysian sport and was also the brainchild of Tunku Tan Sri Imran, who has since served as its chairman. Membership is by invitation.
SportExcel is funded mainly by the private sector and supports programs designed to develop sporting excellence. All donations to SportExcel are tax-exempt. From its inception, SportExcel had its sights clearly set on junior development in Malaysian sport and firmly believes that the future of Malaysian sport lies in the context of junior development. Thus, talented Malaysian juniors must be accorded all assistance to help them reach their full potential. SportExcel is fully supported by the Malaysian Government. This is reflected by the fact that the Patron of SportExcel is the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports.
Government support for SportExcel also comes from the National Sports Council Malaysia (NSC) who help fund the Malaysian Junior Circuit for the 12 sports – golf, swimming, gymnastics (rhythmic, artistic), sepak takraw, squash, bowling, shooting, cricket, cycling and tennis. Taekwando and athletics are the new sports on the circuit – joining in 2012. Sportexcel also has the endorsement of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), which is the umbrella body for sport in the country.
Today, SportExcel stands out as a beacon of hope for young talent to pursue their dreams of greater glory and honour for themselves and the country. The first national golf circuit was launched in 1992 and moved on to become a major success with professionals like Vijay Singh doing their bit to help.
The focus on junior development saw a young cricketer, Arul Vivasan Suppiah, being given the opportunity to study at the famed Millfield School in England. Arul’s stay was arranged for and partly supported by SportExcel – another first for the Foundation. Today, Arul plays county cricket. Golfer Ben Leong followed in Arul’s footsteps when, with the support of SportExcel, he underwent a training stint at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Florida. More milestones have been breached since then by SportExcel on that road to excellence. SportExcel remains totally relevant to Malaysian sport by having carved itself a niche in the realm of junior development.