This study is a socio-political investigation into the relationship between sport and nation­building in Malaysia. The relationship between sport and nation-building (incorporating analyses of the 'nation; 'national identity'; and national unity) is examined through a variety of primary and secondary source materials, as well as interviews with twenty-six key stakeholder respondents, to ascertain the role sport has played in integrating Malaysia's various ethno-racial groups into a united 'Malaysian' nation - the research problem under investigation in the study. Key research questions - founded upon an extensive review of the literature - traced the meaning and importance of nation-building; the Malaysian authorities' rationale for using sport in the country's nation-building project; if there was any evidence to support their use of sport; how sport is utilised towards Malaysia's nation-building efforts; and if the Malaysian authorities utilisation of sport is consistent with the nation-building aims which have been set for sport. The study established that whilst there is some evidence from Malaysia that sport has the capacity to function as a nation-building tool, it is undermined by poor sport policy implementation and by other government policies which undermine its potential for sustained and positive impact. Watching Malaysia take on other nations would certainly appear (from a Malaysian perspective) to be conducive to the imagining of a Malaysian community; sport providing a foundation from which to move forward in the creation of a Malaysian nation.