Credit : YB Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari's X
KUALA LUMPUR November 4, 2026 — The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) said it will not approve the organisation of HYROX Kuala Lumpur 2026 unless an alcoholic beverage company’s sponsorship of the event is withdrawn in full.
In a media statement issued on November 4, the ministry said a screenshot had gone viral showing an announcement naming an alcoholic drinks company as the “Official Beer Partner” of the fitness race, which is scheduled to take place from December 10 to 13, 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur.
KBS said it viewed the matter seriously.
Application not yet approved
The ministry said the application to organise the event was still being processed and had not been approved, adding that KBS had not given any approval or channelled any funding to the event.
It pointed to Item 5.2 of the Safe Sport Code (Kod Sukan Selamat, 3rd Edition, 2024), which it said states clearly that any individual or organisation involved in businesses related to tobacco products, electronic cigarettes or alcoholic beverages is not allowed to organise, sponsor, promote, advertise, sell, give as prizes or display trademarks at any sports activity approved or supported by KBS and its agencies, or at facilities owned by KBS and its agencies.
According to the statement, all licence applications by companies wishing to organise sports events involve a declaration by the organiser committing to implement the Safe Sport Code.
“KBS will not approve the organisation of this event as long as the sponsorship by the alcoholic beverage company is not withdrawn in full,” the ministry said (translated from Malay).
It said this included removing all related logos, trademarks and promotional materials from all of the event’s official channels and from the competition venue.
Penalties under the Sports Development Act
KBS also reminded organisers that under Section 36(1) of the Sports Development Act 1997 (Act 576), a company may not take part in any sports activity unless it is licensed by the Sports Commissioner of Malaysia.
The ministry said the offence carries a fine of not less than RM50,000 and not more than RM500,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
The rules apply to all organisers without exception, and equally to tobacco, electronic cigarette and alcoholic beverage companies, regardless of brand or advertising target, the statement said.
“KBS will not compromise in ensuring a safe and healthy sporting environment for all participants,” it added (translated from Malay).
The statement, numbered KBS: 87/2026, was issued under the name of Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari and shared on the ministry’s official X account.
About the event
HYROX is a global indoor fitness race in which competitors complete eight 1km runs, each followed by a functional workout station, with every event following the same format so results can be compared on a worldwide leaderboard.
According to the official HYROX event page, the Kuala Lumpur edition will be the series’ first race in Malaysia, with AirAsia named as title partner. Categories listed include individual Open and Pro divisions, Doubles and Relay races over the four days at MITEC.
The ministry’s statement did not name the alcoholic beverage company concerned.
For further information, the ministry directed enquiries to its Corporate Communications Unit at 03-8871 3100 or ukk@kbs.gov.my.
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