Data Crucial for Sepang MotoGP Renewal, Says Hannah Yeoh

Eh, geng! You know how much we love our MotoGP here in Malaysia, right? Especially at Sepang! But whether we can keep seeing those bikes screaming around SIC is now hinging on… data!

According to a recent Bernama report, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh says the government's decision to renew Sepang International Circuit's (SIC) MotoGP hosting contract depends on detailed data showing the event's benefits.

Basically, SIC needs to show the Ministry of Finance that continuing to host MotoGP is worth the investment. It's not just about tourism ringgits, but also supporting the local economy and creating job opportunities for Malaysians, especially our mat rempits looking for a break!

“All this requires data to convince the ministry of finance that there is a return on investment. When we invest, we are not signing only in terms of tourism. It should help support the economy and job opportunities for Malaysians,” Yeoh stated.

She further elaborated on the temporary jobs (around 4,500!) generated each year thanks to MotoGP. But it's not just about short-term gains; they want to see skills being passed down to the people. Therefore, collecting and recording all data is important to show that it’s not a “waste of money” according to Hannah Yeoh.

No Repeating Past Mistakes

The current contract between SIC and Dorna Sports (the MotoGP rights holder) expires in 2026. SIC CEO Azhan Shafriman Hanif stressed they don't want to repeat the mistake of letting F1 go, making it hard to get back. “We let F1 go and now it is very hard to get it back. I hope we don’t make the same mistake with MotoGP.”

So, let's hope SIC crunches those numbers and proves that MotoGP is more than just fast bikes and adrenaline – it's a boon for Malaysia!