1,400 pupils take part in national cheerleading championship

The third CJ National Cheerleading Championship 2026 took place at Arena Sukan Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, with 1,400 primary school pupils from 68 SJKC schools in five states participating in the event. Organized by CJ Sports Academy, the competition was recognized by the Education Ministry as a co-curricular activity and sanctioned by the Cheerleading Association and Register of Malaysia (CHARM).

Over 4,000 parents, teachers, family members, and supporters attended the event, highlighting the growing interest in cheerleading among schools and families.

The competition aimed to help pupils develop skills outside the classroom, including discipline, teamwork, leadership, resilience, and self-confidence. The response to this year's event demonstrated the increasing popularity of cheerleading in Malaysia. Bata Malaysia and Singapore managing director Rabi Hasnabi praised the performances, attributing them to the months of training and preparation by the pupils.

CJ Sports Academy, founded by former Team Malaysia cheerleaders, provides training in cheerleading, gymnastics, and dance. The academy's founders have over 15 years of coaching and competition experience, including representing Malaysia at international cheerleading events. The organizers expressed hope for more schools to form cheerleading teams and participate in future editions of the competition.