KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian rugby has received a timely boost, with Japanese sporting powerhouse Yamaha stepping in as a key sponsor for the national men’s and women’s Bunga Raya Sevens teams.
Renowned for their pedigree in both motorsport and rugby — notably through Japan Rugby League One club Yamaha Jubilo — the partnership offers more than just financial backing. It brings a long-term commitment to player development, technical collaboration, and high-performance growth.
Malaysian Rugby Union (MRU) secretary-general Fahmy Jalil described the tie-up as a pivotal moment in efforts to elevate rugby sevens in Malaysia, from elite to grassroots levels.
“Yamaha, through its Malaysian subsidiary Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn Bhd, has come on board as the official sponsor of the Bunga Raya Sevens — supporting both our men’s and women’s national teams in their pursuit of regional success,” Fahmy told Scoop.
“What’s exciting is that this partnership goes beyond conventional sponsorship. We are working towards launching exchange programmes where our young players will have the opportunity to train with Yamaha’s rugby teams in Japan — including their top-tier professional outfit, Yamaha Jubilo.
“This collaboration is more than just a commercial tie-up. It represents an opportunity to elevate grassroots development in Malaysia. By exposing our youth players to high-performance environments in Japan, we aim to raise the overall standard of Malaysian rugby in the long term.”
He added that Yamaha’s presence could help build a new generation of players and fans.
“Their experience in both motorsport and rugby gives them a unique identity that resonates with performance, discipline, and excellence — values we want our national teams to embody.”
The official signing ceremony is set for later today, with the sponsorship deal reportedly valued between RM2 million and RM4 million over the next two years.
This is not Yamaha’s first link with Malaysian rugby. Former national star Dinesvaran Krishnan — affectionately known as “Duke” — played for Yamaha Jubilo from 2015 to 2023 before joining the Chicago Hounds in the United States.
He won the Japan Top League title with Jubilo in 2015 and remains one of only two Malaysians to have competed professionally in Japan, following in the footsteps of Marc Le. – July 8, 2025