UNIVERSAL SPORTS TRADE FAIR 2025 MARKS A MILESTONE IN SPORTS BUSINESS AND PARTNERSHIPS

Kuala Lumpur, 7th April 2025 – Universal Sports Sdn. Bhd. (USS) successfully hosted the Universal Sports Trade Fair 2025 at the Grand Summit Ballroom, Connexion Conference & Event Centre (CCEC), drawing together industry leaders, brand partners, dealers, and sports enthusiasts for a day filled with innovation, collaboration, and celebration.

This annual trade event showcased the strength, innovation, and future direction of Universal Sports’ flagship brands — VICTOR, DIADEM, and WARRIX. Each brand marked important milestones: VICTOR introduced its professional stringing initiative through the VICTOR Stringing Institute (VSI), DIADEM deepened industry ties with a visit from its co-founder and a sharing session on pickleball growth, while WARRIX celebrated a landmark partnership with Negeri Sembilan Football Club (NSFC) through an official MOU signing. Together, these highlights reflect USS’s commitment to driving sports excellence and business development across the region.

VICTOR: Professional Stringing, Performance Gear & A Star Appearance

Universal Sports Trade Fair 2025 started off with a comprehensive preview of VICTOR’s 2025 Q3 and Q4 product highlights, featuring the latest innovations in rackets, shuttlecocks, shoes, bags, apparel, and the brand’s advanced stringing machine.

The event also marked the continued rollout of the VICTOR Stringing Institute (VSI), following its successful introduction last year. As part of USS’s commitment to raising industry standards, the VSI platform returned with enhanced hands-on demos, training workshops, and certification opportunities. Stringers from across the region participated to further sharpen their skills and deepen their professional expertise - guided by Mr. Joe Chang, Senior Engineer, Racket Development Department of VICTOR Taiwan.

VICTOR Taiwan was well-represented, with Mr. Elvis Ke, Director of the Taiwan Marketing and Sales Division, and Dr. Johan Liu, Deputy Director of the Shoe Development Department, attending as guests of honour.

Adding to the excitement was a special appearance by Malaysian badminton star Olympic medallists, Lee Zii Jia and Goh Liu Ying, offering fans and dealers a memorable moment during the event.

DIADEM: Leading the Charge in Pickleball Innovation

DIADEM took the spotlight with a preview of its upcoming second-half product lineup, showcasing the brand’s continuous advancements in pickleball technology — a sport rapidly growing in global popularity. A key highlight was the introduction of BluCore, DIADEM’s most advanced pickleball paddle core to date. Featuring closed-cell expanded polypropylene (EPP), BluCore delivers unmatched durability, consistency, and performance.

Over a year in development, it offers superior impact resistance, eliminates core crush, expands the sweet spot, and is 10x more durable than traditional honeycomb cores — marking the most significant innovation since the transition from wooden to composite paddles.

Attendees had the privilege of hearing directly from Mr. AJ Bartlett, Co-Founder of Diadem, who led an insightful session on the brand’s R&D focus and technological edge. He also hosted a special knowledge-sharing session for business partners, providing tools and strategies to help grow pickleball in the Malaysian and Southeast Asian markets.

WARRIX: A Strong Debut with Strategic Football Partnerships

WARRIX Malaysia made a bold impression by introducing its brand vision and product line-up to local dealers, while also unveiling exciting collaborations with Negeri Sembilan FC (NSFC) and FC Spicegals.

The event’s main highlight was the official signing of the MOU between Universal Sports and NSFC, marking the start of a strategic partnership that focuses on business development, marketing, and the exclusive production and distribution of NSFC’s official merchandise.

Tan Peng Koon, Director of Universal Sports, shared:

“Today’s agreement reflects Universal Sports’ strong commitment to working closely with NSFC. I’m also proud to announce that the first Warrix Concept Store in Negeri Sembilan will be opening soon in Rahang, Seremban. This is part of our commitment to ensuring NSFC fans have direct access to official club merchandise and the full range of Warrix products.”

NSFC Chief Executive Officer, Faliq Firdaus, expressed his excitement:

“We are truly honoured and excited to welcome Universal Sports into the Negeri Sembilan football family. This collaboration is a critical move in our mission to stabilize the club's business operations and strengthen our connection with fans across Negeri Sembilan. I believe this partnership will extend beyond business; it will pave the way for deeper fan engagement and football development initiatives across the state.”

Guests were also treated to a freestyle football performance by Warrix ambassador Muhammad Zuhairi, and a Warrix fashion show featuring the latest in performance and lifestyle apparel.

A Unified Vision for Sports Growth

The USS Trade Fair 2025 concluded as more than just a product showcase — it became a launchpad for new business opportunities, stronger relationships, and a shared vision of elevating the sports ecosystem in Malaysia.

With powerful brand activations, inspiring collaborations, and a focus on innovation and community, Universal Sports continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sports retail and development across the region.