PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia Cube Sports Association has won the bid to host Rubik’s Cube World Cube Association (WCA) Asian Championship this year, which is expected to attract over 1,000 contestants from some 50 countries.
To be held from Nov 1 to 4 at the IOI Grand Exhibition and Convention Centre in Putrajaya, this year is also the 50th Anniversary of the invention of the Rubik’s Cube by Hungarian architect Erno Rubik.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said she is thrilled that Malaysia will be hosting the Rubik’s Cube Asian Championship this year.
"As past tournaments had attracted more than 1,000 contestants from some 50 countries, I congratulate the Malaysia Cube Sports Association for their feat in winning the bid to organise such a large-scale event and to provide a platform for our local talents to compete," she said.
Announcement of the successful bid comes following the organisation of Malaysia Cube Championships in 2023 and this year. This year also marks the 15th anniversary of the first WCA sanctioned cubing competition in Malaysia.
A 3D combination puzzle, it was originally called the Magic Cube when it was released internationally in 1980 and became one of the most recognised icons in popular culture.
Over the past 50 years, the Rubik’s Cube has had an enormous impact on popular culture, education, and the world of competitive puzzle-solving.
It has inspired countless books, tutorials, and videos, and has become a symbol of problem-solving and perseverance. The cube has also played a significant role in promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, encouraging critical thinking and spatial reasoning.
Marc Tang, co-organiser of the Rubik’s Cube Asian Championship said the Championship is expected to see the participation of the world’s top speed cubers alongside Malaysia's homegrown world class talents such as Hill Pong, Lim Hung, Tee Kai Yang, Ephraim Lim, Ivan Lew, Ang Chin Zhen, Ng Jia Quan and Mohamad Adrian Syahirin Mohd Faizal.
"Participation in the Championship is open to all regardless of level and age. We encourage all enthusiasts to join or attend as spectators to witness this monumental event," he said.
Fellow co-organiser Michelle Chew said the Asian Championship is being made possible with support from, among others, Rubik’s, World Cube Association, the Youth and Sports Ministry.
For more information please visit https://beacons.ai/ac2024 or https://www.mycubeassociation.
