What Is Malaysia’s National Sport?

JUNG YEON-JE / Staff/AFP/Getty Images

The national sport of Malaysia is Sepak Takraw. It is a sport in which the players must kick a takraw (hollow ball made out of rattan or woven palm stems) over a net. It is similar to volleyball or badminton except players cannot use their hands.

Players may use their feet, legs, knees, chest and head to knock the takraw over the net. The game started in southeast Asia. It is very popular in Malaysia, but it has also gained popularity in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Laos. In each location there are different variations of the game. In the Philippines, it is played by young children and is called sipa. Besides Sepak Takraw, badminton is one of the most popular sports in Malaysia.