Sungai buloh: The national men’s and women’s Sevens (7s) rugby teams received a significant boost when Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) presented a RM200,000 sponsorship to support their participation in the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand at the end of this year. The sponsorship is directed to Malaysia Rugby (MR) to aid both teams’ training and development programmes in preparation for the Dec 9-20 biennial Games.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MR president Amir Amri Mohamad stated that the funds will be fully utilized to enhance the Bunga Raya 7s squads. These teams are also scheduled to compete in several international tournaments as part of their preparations for the 33rd edition of the regional biennial Games. Amir expressed surprise at the sponsorship, noting that Yamaha is traditionally more associated with motorsports. He emphasized that the sponsorship is specifically for the men’s and women’s Bunga Raya 7s teams and will not be used for other teams.

The announcement was made during a media conference
at the official sponsorship event between HLYM and MR at the Hong Leong Yamaha Complex in Sungai Buloh. Coaches, officials, and players from the men’s and women’s Bunga Raya 7s squads were present at the event.

HLYM managing director Profesor Datuk Dr Jim Khor described the sponsorship as the beginning of a collaboration between HLYM and MR for the development of rugby and motorsports in Malaysia. He expressed hope that the contribution would assist in meeting key requirements, including training, nutrition, and athletes’ allowances ahead of the SEA Games.

Historically, the national men’s 7s rugby squad has shown strong performances, winning silver at the 2015 edition in Singapore, securing gold in the 2017 edition on home soil, and earning silver again in the 2019 edition in the Philippines. Rugby was not contested in the 2021 (Vietnam) and 2023 (Cambodia) editions. The national women’s team, meanwhile, achieved bronze medals in the 2017 and 2019 editions.