Bolstering sports tourism ahead of Visit Johor Year 2026

SPORTS tourism will be one of the main products lined up for Visit Johor Year 2026 (VJY 2026), says state youth, sports, entrepreneur development and cooperative committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah.

“We want to take advantage of our proximity to Singapore and Indonesia by organising more international-level sports events in line with VJY 2026.

“We want to push sports tourism as one of the products that can elevate Johor to greater heights,” he said after the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between Johor Sports Council (MSNJ) and Maybank for the Maybank Cycling Series Johor in Kota Iskandar.

Mohd Hairi added that Johor could become Malaysia’s hub for sports tourism.

“Our commitment to hosting international events can help boost our status on the global stage, attracting athletes and sports fans from around the world.”

On the MOU, Mohd Hairi said the state had organised a similar programme last year that attracted 6,000 cyclists.

“This year, we have raised the bar to 7,000 participants and the focus will not only be on cycling but a community programme too” he said.

The ride will start from Sunway Big Box Iskandar Puteri and will pass through many of Iskandar Puteri’s attractions such as Legoland and EnerG X Park, Leisure Farm Resort, Kukup Golf Resort and the Museum Bugis coastline path.

“Many of these destinations not only showcase Johor’s heritage and culture but also highlight a commitment to nurturing sustainability,” added Mohd Hairi.

Also present at the signing ceremony in Bangunan Dato’ Jaafar Muhammad were Kota Iskandar assemblyman Datuk Pandak Ahmad, Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor Sdn Bhd (KPRJ) chief executive officer Datuk Lukman Abu Bakar, MSNJ director Mohd Ekmaluddin Ishak, Maybank Community Financial Services chief Datuk Hamirullah Boorhan, Maybank group corporate marketing chief Shazlina Md Suffian and Johor deputy state secretary (sports, youths and volunteers) Datuk On Jabbar @ Ja’afar.

The event is scheduled to take place on Sept 14 in Iskandar Puteri.

There are two categories – Road Race (120km) and Fellowship Ride (60km).

The age groups for each category are Men Under 23, Men Master A (24 to 35), Men Master B (36 and above), Women A (18 to 35), and Women B (36 and above).

Registration is open at www.johorcyclingseries.com