MALAYSIA’S NATIONAL SPORTS DAY
BRINGS DIPLOMATS AND COMMUNITY TOGETHER ON THE
LANES IN BRUSSELS
Brussels, Belgium | 10 October 2026 – Diplomats, the Malaysian Diaspora in Belgium, and international guests swapped formal settings for bowling shoes on Saturday, as the Embassy of Malaysia in Brussels celebrated Malaysia’s National Sports Day (Hari Sukan Negara) with a friendly bowling tournament at Bowling Delva. Forty players from ten countries (Malaysia, Belgium, Spain, New Zealand, France, Morocco, the Netherlands, Romania, Pakistan and Indonesia) competed in ten teams, among them Embassy staff, members of the Malaysian Association of Belgium and Luxembourg (MABL) and officials from the European External Action Service (EEAS). Opening the event, H.E. Dato’ Mohd Khalid Abbasi Abdul Razak, Ambassador of Malaysia to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union, stressed the importance of balancing increasingly digital daily lives with an active and healthy lifestyle.
The Ambassador’s own team, with his spouse Madam Aniza, Second Secretary Mohamad and his spouse Fiza, took the Best Team title, while Madam Aniza also won the Highest Pins for Women award and finished First Runner-Up in the Best Women’s category. “Wonderful turnout, two hours on the lanes enjoying three energetic games filled with sportsmanship, great camaraderie, and friendly competition, ” said Ambassador Khalid.
For Malaysians abroad, the day was a chance to reconnect. “When we are overseas, we jump on the opportunity to come together, ” said Asha Menon, Vice President, Global Customs Regulatory Affairs at DHL Express and MABL member. International guests valued the warm and informal setting. “My most memorable part was when I entered!” said Maria Nieves, Administrative Agent for Southeast Asia at the EEAS, recalling how newcomers were welcomed and cheered on. For Olivia Lori Iglesias Ucendo, Senior Communications Officer at the European Youth Forum, she said “this was my first experience with Malaysia!” and she loved it.
Media Contact
Azra Safiya| Public Diplomacy Intern
Embassy of Malaysia in Brussels
azrasafiyaa@gmail.com | +32 498 19 98 01
