KUALA LUMPUR: The organisers of Drone Race Asia 2023 have been granted a matching fund of RM72,000 by Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS). This grant aims to enhance the popularity of the sport and improve the national team’s world ranking. The three-day tournament, which commenced yesterday, features eight teams from Malaysia, the United States, Spain, Thailand, and Singapore. The event is co-organized by the DRA Drone Racing Club and the Magic Beans Alchemy Sdn Bhd, both registered under the Sports Development Act 1996.
Hannah Yeoh, the Minister of Youth and Sports, expressed her gratitude to everyone involved in making the vertical drone race a reality in Malaysia. She believes that this new sport will provide a meaningful platform for the younger generation and deter them from engaging in unproductive activities.
When you have a competition, it will help improve the (team’s) ranking and measure their performance against higher-level teams. I think it (vertical drone race) is still very new in Malaysia. The fact that they can do it the first time for something like that, I must thank everybody who made this work, Minister Hannah stated.
In another development, Minister Hannah cited the recent success of the national football team in climbing seven spots to secure the 130th position in the FIFA world ranking. She attributes this positive progress to the implementation of various plans by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), including the appointment of South Korean Kim Pan Gon as the head coach.
I see that in one year since being appointed Youth and Sports Minister, the involvement of Pan Gon has brought results, Minister Hannah added.
The Malaysian team’s rise in ranking comes after their victories against Kyrgyzstan and Taiwan during the second round of the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers. FAM is determined to ensure that the Harimau Malaya (Malayan Tigers) break into the top 120 by the end of this year.
The Drone Race Asia 2023 tournament showcases a rapidly growing sport that combines thrilling competition with advanced technology. By supporting this event, the Malaysian government aims to foster enthusiasm for drone racing and elevate the national team’s standing on the global stage.
