By frontside
When friends tell me there is no skateboarding development in Malaysia, I have to pause and ask: how, then, did we witness so many strong male and female skateboarders at the recent Skate Tour ASEAN in Penang?
The truth is, development exists. It may not be on the scale some imagine, and it may look different compared to other countries, but it is happening. The growth of skateboarding here is the result of many hands, not just one institution.
Grassroots at the Core
Parents play a vital role—tirelessly bringing their children to skateparks, encouraging them to skate daily, and guiding them as they learn new tricks. Small skateboarding groups, shops, and schools are also investing their time and energy to nurture young talent. These efforts form the backbone of our scene.
Learning from Football
Look at football: the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) does not directly develop JDT or Selangor FC players. Clubs shoulder that responsibility, while FAM provides structure and occasional incentives. Skateboarding should be viewed the same way. It is not MySKATE’s sole responsibility to develop every athlete, though they have supported several skateboarders representing Malaysia abroad.
The Razkals and Beyond
The Razkals, for instance, began their development journey with support from Newsantara Distribution and contributions from members long before Momo and Mahathir were selected by the National Sports Council (MSN) for a special program that also included surfing and climbing.
But The Razkals are not alone. Families of skateboarders such as Tajul, Fazrul, Amirul, the NH sisters, Hisham, and many others—together with smaller clubs and schools across the country—are doing their part. Their dedication produces athletes who, when selected, move into centralized training programs, just as athletes do in other nations.
A Collective Effort
Yes, our budget may not be as large as before, and certainly not as big as some countries. But the work being done by families, skate coaches, clubs, skatepark builders, skate shops, and communities across Malaysia is real. It deserves recognition, not dismissal.
Yes, maybe we lack world championship-size skateparks. That’s work in progress, and I trust the skatepark builders are working on it as they see our development is ready.
Our skateboarders may not always win every contest, but they have created the best version of themselves in every competition they enter. That, too, is development.
So the next time someone says there is no development, I urge them to look closer. Development is here. It is alive in our skateparks, our families, and our communities. And I, for one, am proud of it.
Ian Johan Ariff