Media Centre

The fighting spirit of the Malayan Tiger comes to the fore with the new kit for the national teams to sporting events. Launched recently by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the tracksuit and jersey highlight the colours and stripes of the Malayan tiger in an effort to inspire athletes with the characteristics of the animal.

And who better to design the attire if not Limkokwing University College that was also responsible for the design of the National Service uniform?

Not surprisingly, both the new sports wear and the National Service uniform carry tiger stripes – and it’s no coincidence, reveals Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing, president of the university college.

“It has a similarity and not by accident because we must be consistent when branding. This is a brand, a face of Malaysia in the global sports arena and Malaysians should rally behind it,” explains Tan Sri Lim. And yes, to the communications guru who was also responsible for creating the Wira mascot in the 16 th Commonwealth Games in 1998, it’s all part of a branding exercise.

Fighting spirit good branding

“It would be good if the world were to come to recognise the tiger stripes as representing Malaysia. It would be good if we were known for our fighting spirit. It would be great branding for Malaysia,” says Tan Sri Lim.

“If our sports people were to behave like the tiger, even if they lose a competition, people would love them – especially in today’s spectator-type sports.”

The choice of the tiger was an obvious one for Tan Sri Lim and his design team. “The tiger has been associated with us for a long time. It was used as a symbol for Keretapi Tanah Melayu, for instance.

“We felt the most inspirational would be the tiger. The bunga raya (hibiscus) does not say very much and as an identity has been used by many others.

Instilling love for the tiger among school children

“The tiger is known for its courage and fierceness. It makes an awesome sight and it’s a beautiful animal. It’s strong, determined and powerful, and can fight with an animal many times its size. We would like our sportsmen and sportswomen to have these qualities.”

The Malaysian contingent to the 23 rd SEA Games, which began in Manila on Nov 27, was the first batch of athletes to wear the new attire.

Limkokwing hopes to continue assisting the Sports Ministry by coming up with inspirational promotional materials to support the latter’s efforts.

Tan Sri Lim said, “We could have the tiger promoted among schools to instill love for the tiger so young Malaysians would grow to see it as a symbol of courage and embrace it. It’s a happy idea for parents to say, ‘you should be one of the tigers’. It’s the spirit we want to capture.”