Academic development of sports: basis of sports industry in Malaysia

Sports management as an area of academic preparation is a relatively recent phenomenon in Malaysia. The first sports science degree program was introduced by the University of Malaya only in July, 1995. Since then many public and private local universities began offering sports science degree programs at various levels. This article discusses the need, role and importance of sports science as an academic endeavor at public and private institutions of higher learning in Malaysia. The general overview of the sport industry is presented. While a range of programs is offered, attention must be given to the relevance of such programs to local needs. Sports development is high on the national development agenda based on the recent increase in allocation for sports in the Ninth Malaysia Plan. Local universities must now reassess and restructure sports science academic programs so that the educational process stays relevant to the changing needs of local sport development