APAC Wrestling expands with monthly shows
Founder Ayez Shaukat Fonseka Farid says they will also organise shows in Japan, US
KUALA LUMPUR – Professional wrestling may not be widely recognised as a sport in Malaysia, but it has been gaining popularity among local fans.
Asia-Pacific (APAC) Wrestling founder Ayez Shaukat Fonseka Farid said it took him nine years to make professional wrestling known in the country.
However, Shaukat said efforts to promote the sport are not without some challenges.
“Financial limitations make the journey of Malaysian wrestling more difficult.
“We may not have the support of big sponsors like other more popular sports such as badminton or football, but nowadays, I think the pro-wrestling market in Malaysia is very promising. We are getting a lot more fans here.”
As the local fan base grew each year, the 35-year-old professional wrestler revealed that APAC Wrestling has successfully secured a new sponsor from a local company.
As such, the sponsorship made it possible for them to organise monthly pro-wrestling shows in the country and internationally for at least a year.
“Having a new sponsor means I get to fully focus on my career and train as a pro wrestler.
Despite being perceived as mere entertainment, Ayez Shaukat Fonseka Farid (second from left) says that pro wrestling is nothing to be embarrassed about. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, March 24, 2023
“Just last month, I was approached by the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) talent scout.
“They have been giving me feedback, and now, I am working on improving myself so I would get recruited.
“The new sponsorship also allows us to organise monthly shows in Malaysia.
“At the same time, we plan to organise a show in Japan in May and the US in July,” he added.
Despite being perceived as mere entertainment, Shaukat admitted that pro wrestling is nothing to be embarrassed about.
“It is a matter of educating the people that it is okay to be a fan of pro wrestling.
“It is entertainment, and we are only acting…nothing is embarrassing about life in pro wrestling.
“Statistics by Astro showed that WWE network is the second most subscribed channel. “When WWE came to Malaysia for a show, they received about 13,000 spectators on the first day and 12,000 the following day at Axiata Arena,” he said.
source – The Vibes
