Having a business plan and executing it well will ensure the sports industry in Malaysia thrives.
In fact, experienced businessman Colin Cheang Yee Hong also believes brands need to be bold enough to venture beyond the nation’s shores and create an impact in the region.
The man behind sports apparel brand Amnig, Cheang is no stranger to the mixed martial arts (MMA) scene. And he says MMA in Malaysia can thrive by creating a wholesome eco-system especially at the grassroots.
“Amnig has been part of the MMA scene, having featured at the 2015 ONE Championship edition before sponsoring the fourth season of Malaysian Invasion Mixed Martial Arts (MIMMA) a year later. We have developed a lot of gear for MMA with international quality … something no other Malaysian company has attempted to do till today,” said Cheang, 65.
Amnig today has grown into a household name in the scene with the likes of professional MMA fighter Agilan Thani donning the brand.
“But it is important to inject the commercialisation aspect into what we do. This is important to ensure a certain sport or industry sustains. We must treat what we do like a business.”
Cheang added for certain sports, the Malaysian market was too small and thus it is important to expand within the region to get more attention and eyeballs.
Cheang is also supportive of Fight For Change 2019, adding more such events were needed to ensure constant interest in the sport.
“When we have more events, naturally interest will grow. People will have more events to look forward too. This will encourage participation, from those who want to be in the cage to coaches and officials. And naturally more people will want to buy apparel associated with the sport,” he said.
Amnig is the official apparel for Fight For Change 2019 which will be held on Nov 23 at the Cobra Rugby Club in Petaling Jaya. Some nine fights are on the cards including, the main event which will see Twentytwo13 co-founder Haresh Deol take on professional fighter Shareh ‘The Jeneral’ Nasrullah in the cage.
Fight for Change 2019 is co-organised by Twentytwo13 and the Malaysia Mixed Martial Arts Association (MASMMAA) and is supported by the National Press Club of Malaysia. Proceeds from the event will go to MASMMAA’s youth development programme and NPC’s Journalist Welfare Fund.
“We are happy to be part of Fight For Change 2019. We are eager to work with MASMMAA to promote MMA. The more activities, the better,” Cheang said.
Tickets for Fight For Change 2019 are being sold at RM50 each. To purchase the tickets or be part of the cause, email: editor@twentytwo13.my
