KOTA KINABALU, 10 September 2026 — The U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur successfully completed the first leg of its Freedom 250 Flag Football Tour in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, in a bid to help grow the sport in Malaysia ahead of flag football’s debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Supported by the Malaysia American Football Association (MAFA) and activated by Third Down Sports, the Freedom 250 Flag Football Tour is aimed at introducing, developing and growing the sport of flag football across six states in Malaysia.

According to Morgan O’Brien, Counselor for Public Diplomacy for the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, the official launch held in Kota Kinabalu marks a significant milestone in the growth of the sport and the Embassy’s initiative to foster closer ties in areas it operates in.

“Our initiative to help grow the sport of flag football in Malaysia is in line with our mission to introduce American culture to Malaysians to further strengthen our Embassy’s diplomatic ties to the Country. This initiative also comes ahead of flag football’s global debut on the international stage with its addition in the 2028 Olympics held in Los Angeles, California, which is a milestone we are significantly proud of,” he said.

Kota Kinabalu served as the first stop of the nationwide tour with an education & coaching session taking place at the Sabah State Library (Tanjung Aru) on September 2, as well as a flag football clinic held at Stadium Likas Training Field the following day which saw approximately 80 participants, including student teachers, members of the local community and school students attending. A total of 15 balls and 60 sets of flags were distributed to community and school organizers to support continued play and training in Sabah.

Following the conclusion of the Sabah leg, the U.S. Embassy will continue the Freedom 250 Flag Football Tour in Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur, Kedah, Penang, and Kelantan.

According to Aster Kyle Gunasekera, President of MAFA, this tour marks a significant step in
growing the sport in Malaysia.

“The Freedom 250 Flag Football Tour is an incredible opportunity to grow the sport in the Country. Through this tour, we want to bring flag football directly to communities, schools, teachers and coaches while creating a pathway for more Malaysians to discover and participate in flag football,” he said.

With Flag Football set to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the tour represents another important step in building awareness, participation and grassroots development of the sport in Malaysia.

ABOUT MAFA
The Malaysia American Football Association (MAFA) is the governing body for American football and all its variants in Malaysia, including flag football. Committed to the development and promotion of the sport, MAFA organizes national and international tournaments, facilitates coaching and training programs, and advocates for the growth of American flag football at all levels. By fostering inclusivity, sportsmanship, and teamwork, MAFA aims to create opportunities and empower athletes in their pursuit of excellence.