MUMBAI: MESPN Star Sports (ESS) and Malaysia’s Ministry of Youth and Sport (KBS) have announced the launch of the Malaysian version of SportsCenter.
The show will air on ESPN from April.
The localised version of SportsCenter will be produced in Malaysia, presented by Malaysians and cover the best international and local sports. With a focus on the latest news from the Malaysian sporting scene, Malaysian sports fans can expect to see more of their sporting heroes and follow the latest happenings on this sports news programme that will be broadcast every weeknight on ESPN.
This initiative is a part of the multi-year strategic alliance signed by the Ministry of Youth and Sport and ESS in October 2005 to raise participation and interest in sport in Malaysia.
TMalaysia Minister of Youth and Sport, Datuk Azalina Datuk Othman Said, said, “The Ministry of Youth and Sports is pleased to spearhead this project to bring Malaysian sports closer to the fans at home. SportsCenter is one of the most recognisable and award-winning sports news programmes. We are confident that the Malaysian version of SportsCenter will have a positive impact on all sports-loving Malaysians who will enjoy following their heroes on a show with renowned high production standards. KBS’ aim to create sporting icons and promote the sporting culture in Malaysia will be better served with this partnership.”
ESS Asia MD Jamie Davis says, “We are delighted to work with the Ministry of Youth and Sport to bring our world-famous SportsCenter programme closer to home for Malaysian fans. The KBS has a vision and ambition to build a strong, long-term and active sporting culture in Malaysia and we are proud to play our part to bring this to reality.”
Malaysia is home to world beaters such as Nicol David (squash), Shalin Zulkifli (bowling), Lee Chong Wei (badminton) and Siti Zalina Ahmad (lawn bowls). In addition, Malaysia plays host to a great number of international sporting events annually including Le Tour de Langkawi, Formula One Grand Prix, A1 Grand Prix and MotoGP, the Monsoon Cup, the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament, and the World Badminton Championships.
