Sabah Boxing Officials Hail European Wellness Sports Science Centre as a Game-Changer for Athlete Recovery

KOTA KINABALU, Sabah (July 16, 2026) — Sabah’s boxing fraternity has welcomed the European Wellness Sports Science Regenerative Centre as a major step forward for athlete development, describing its advanced recovery technologies as capable of transforming the way professional fighters prepare, recover, and perform.

Following a tour of the European Wellness Premier Centre ahead of the BAM Championship 2026, Sabah Professional Boxing Association secretary Zairul Hijoo said he was pleasantly surprised to discover such a comprehensive sports science and recovery facility already operating in Kota Kinabalu.

“I never knew there was a facility like this that could help our athletes,” he said.

“I think all athletes should come here and experience what European Wellness has to offer. It can improve recovery and further raise the quality of our athletes.“

Honorary Secretary Zairul Hijoo was accompanied by Haiharrod Benjamin, who represented Kelab Tinju Profesional Kinabalu (KTPK), in supporting the landmark collaboration between KTPK and European Wellness to advance sports science and athlete development in Sabah.

‘A World-Class Facility’

For Zairul, who spent more than three decades in the sporting arena before returning to help develop professional boxing in Sabah, the visit reinforced the importance of sports science in modern athlete development.

Seeing the range of equipment and recovery technologies available left a lasting impression.

“It is beyond my expectations… It is truly a world-class facility.”

– Zairul Hijoo, Sabah Professional Boxing Association secretary

Zairul believes access to advanced recovery programs will help Sabah’s boxers remain healthier, recover faster, and compete more consistently at elite levels.

Recovery Is Part of Performance

According to Zairul, success in professional boxing is no longer determined solely by training inside the gym.

Recovery has become an equally important component of athletic performance.

“This is really going to help the athletes…The recovery program here is very holistic. It covers everything.”

He added that proper recovery allows athletes to minimize injuries, maintain peak condition, and enjoy longer sporting careers.

“Our role now is to continue supporting sports in whatever way we can so our athletes can go much further than previous generations.”

He also thanked European Wellness for opening its facilities to Sabah’s boxing community.

“We are very grateful to Prof. Mike Chan and European Wellness for giving us this opportunity to collaborate. I hope more athletes will benefit from these facilities.”

Exploring Advanced Recovery Technologies

During the visit, European Wellness nutritionist Claire Ng guided the delegation through the center’s sports science and regenerative medicine facilities, introducing a range of technologies designed to support athlete recovery and rehabilitation.

The guests were shown the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) chambers, Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy, and infrared recovery technologies, including infrared therapy blankets that help reduce joint and muscle discomfort while supporting post-exercise recovery. These technologies form part of European Wellness’ integrated approach to recovery and performance optimization.

Claire explained that the systems are widely used to help accelerate recovery, ease muscle fatigue, and support athletes in returning to training more efficiently.

She said the visitors were impressed by both the breadth and sophistication of the technologies available.

“They were amazed by how advanced our technologies are,” she said. We hope athletes will make full use of these facilities to support their recovery and long-term performance.”

Supporting Sabah’s Sporting Future

The collaboration between European Wellness Sports Science Regenerative Centre and BAM Championship 2026 reflects a growing commitment to integrating sports science, regenerative medicine, and structured recovery into professional boxing.

As Sabah continues to strengthen its sporting ecosystem, organizers believe the partnership will provide local athletes with greater access to world-class recovery solutions while positioning the state as an emerging destination for sports science and high-performance athlete care.

Meet Zairul Hijoo—Driving the Growth of Professional Boxing in Sabah

While he may not be a professional boxer himself, Zairul Hijoo has become one of the key figures working behind the scenes to elevate professional boxing in Sabah.

As honorary secretary of the Kelab Tinju Profesional Kota Kinabalu (KTPK), Zairul plays a central role in organizing and promoting professional boxing events across the state.

He has been instrumental in coordinating the BAM Championship series, bringing together fighters from districts including Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tongod, Tambunan, and Penampang.

One of his latest initiatives is forging a strategic partnership between KTPK and the European Wellness Sports Science Regenerative Centre, giving local fighters access to advanced sports science, athlete recovery technologies, and regenerative medicine previously unavailable to many professional boxers in Sabah.

Working closely with the Sabah Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Sabah State Sports Board, and the Malaysian Professional Boxing Federation (MPBF), Zairul hopes to create stronger pathways for Sabahan boxers to compete on the national and international stage.

Outside the sporting arena, Zairul is an experienced corporate professional with a background in accounting, corporate finance, and business development. Throughout his career, he has held management roles with organizations including Maybank, Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC), and several engineering and technical companies.

Drawing on both his corporate expertise and passion for sports, Zairul believes professional boxing in Sabah has the potential to reach new heights through stronger partnerships, better athlete support, and greater investment in sports science and high-performance development.