Malaysia's Drone Sports Academy Reports Major Growth in National Talent Development
AKSADRON has reached over 10,000 participants and trained 2,000 drone pilots between 2022 and 2025, establishing Malaysia as a regional hub for drone sports excellence through strategic alignment with national development policies.
AKSADRON Releases Impact Report 2025, Showcasing the Growth of Malaysia's Drone Sports Talent Ecosystem
The National Academy for Drone Sports Excellence (AKSADRON) has documented significant progress in developing Malaysia's drone sports ecosystem, reaching more than 10,000 participants through nationwide programmes between 2022 and 2025, according to its newly released Impact Report 2025.
The report, announced on 25 September 2026 by Futurise Sdn Bhd, details how AKSADRON has built a structured national platform combining competitive sports, technical education and skills development. The academy, established in January 2022 following a government mandate to Futurise, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cyberview Sdn Bhd under the Ministry of Finance, has trained 2,000 participants and conducted 70 programmes and events during the review period.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of Futurise, Shafinaz Salim, emphasised that the achievements demonstrate drone sports' role beyond recreation.
"The progress achieved since 2022 demonstrates that drone sports are more than a recreational activity. They provide a practical and engaging platform through which young Malaysians can develop technical knowledge, confidence, teamwork, problem-solving abilities and competitive experience."
Alignment with National Strategic Frameworks
AKSADRON's work aligns with the National Drone Sports Strategic Roadmap 2023-2027 (NADSAR), which was officially unveiled on 29 November 2024 at the DRIFT 2024 event by Selangor State Executive Councillor Mohd Najwan Halimi. The five-year framework provides strategic direction for developing drone sports as both a competitive activity and a talent pipeline supporting Malaysia's broader drone and aerospace industries.
The roadmap is anchored on three strategic priorities: strengthening the national drone sports landscape, building a collaborative ecosystem and increasing public awareness. It supports current government priorities including the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan 2026-2030, tabled by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on 31 July 2025 with the theme 'Melakar Semula Pembangunan' (Restructuring Development) and committing MYR 430 billion in government development allocations. The plan outlines three core dimensions—High and Sustainable Income, Quality and Inclusive Life, and Sustainable Environment—anchored by four pillars encompassing 27 strategic priorities focused on advancing economic complexity and social mobility.
AKSADRON's initiatives also align with the National TVET Policy 2030, launched in mid-2024 to strengthen technical and vocational education through a five-point plan prioritising Industry 4.0 alignment and creating skilled, high-income workers. The academy's work further supports Visi Sukan Negara 2030, Malaysia's national sports vision launched in October 2021, which aims to foster emerging sports and technological advancements in the sports industry.
Comprehensive Training and Competition Framework
Between 2022 and 2025, AKSADRON organised seven drone sports tournaments, including DRIFT and Sky Battle competitions, and established more than 10 memoranda of understanding and letters of intent to accelerate ecosystem growth. The academy engaged more than 20 stakeholders across government, academia and industry, collaborating with eight academic and learning institutions and six industry partners.
AKSADRON operates across four key segments: drone racing, drone soccer, drone e-sports and AI-enabled drone racing. Its training facility in Cyberjaya offers public and customised programmes for individuals, schools, higher-learning institutions and corporate organisations, covering drone piloting, flight safety, technical skills, teamwork and competitive drone sports.
Cyberjaya's position as a drone development hub is supported by established infrastructure, including the Drone Testing Zone established in 2019. Supported by Drone Academy Asia, a Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation, the zone has trained over 2,300 remote pilots and conducted more than 150 training sessions, complementing AKSADRON's educational mission.
"Through AKSADRON, we are making drone technology more accessible by providing a structured environment where participants can learn, practise and progress. Our Cyberjaya training facility serves as a platform for students, educators, organisations and members of the public to develop practical skills and experience drone sports in a safe and guided setting."
Futurise, established in 2018 under the Ministry of Finance, also manages the National Regulatory Sandbox, which enables innovative products, services and business models to be tested within controlled environments while allowing regulators to develop appropriate regulatory responses for emerging technologies. This broader mandate in regulatory innovation provides additional support for AKSADRON's development initiatives.
The AKSADRON Impact Report 2025 will be available on Futurise's website. Organizations interested in collaboration opportunities for training and events can contact aksadron@futurise.com.my for further information.