To mark World Intellectual Property Day 2026, the WIPO Singapore Office (WSO), in strategic collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), has unveiled a powerful collection of perspectives from the region's sports icons, highlighting how intellectual property (IP) is the engine fueling Southeast Asia’s sports boom.
From the high-tech patents embedded in performance gear to the brands that ignite fan loyalty and the copyright protections securing global broadcast rights, IP rights are the underlying assets turning athletic passion into regional economic power.
Under the 2026 theme, "Ready, Set, Innovate!", this joint initiative celebrates the athletes, engineers, and creators who leverage the IP system to push the boundaries of human potential and ensure a sustainable, innovative future for the ASEAN sports ecosystem.
Against this backdrop, distinguished athletes and management of sports companies from across ASEAN reflect on the role of IP in shaping their journeys, their sports, and the region’s future.
Ms. Basma Lackhar, National Wushu, Brunei Darussalam
“As a young athlete, I still remember my early days of training when I simply followed routines without thinking much about how or why, growing up at the same time, modern sports technology was evolving around me. Through my experience, only later did I realise that those changes, including sports science, performance analysis and recovery methods, had silently shaped my results in the sport and continue helping me to understand my body and use these innovations to improve my skills while taking better care of my body and pushing my limits forward”.
Ms. Lodkeo Inthakoumman, National Marathon, Lao PDR
"Innovations like carbon-plated footwear have significantly improved my stride length and speed, helping me achieve better personal best timings on race days compared to previous technologies. Technological development has a profound impact on athletic performance, making the protection of these creative ideas vital for the future of sports.”
Mr. Gerald Lee, Chief Operations Officer of Refract Technologies, Singapore
“Innovative technology like our AXIS motion capture system extends human performance beyond physical boundaries, allowing us to preserve the essence of sport, while reimagining how it is experienced and played. Protecting these advancements is essential to ensure that original ideas continue to drive meaningful and trustworthy progress for long-term growth within the global sport ecosystem.”
Mr. Damian Chow, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, The Gym Pod, Singapore
“Innovation is at the core of how we reimagine fitness through smart automation, data-driven insights, and seamless user experiences that make working out more accessible and personal. Protecting these ideas ensures that the time, capital, and creativity invested into pushing the industry forward continue to drive meaningful progress rather than being easily replicated.”
Ms. Wilavan Apinyapong, (Former) Captain, Women’s National Volleyball, Thailand
“Integrating advanced sports science and recovery technology is no longer just an advantage, but a necessity to maintain peak physical condition and extend a professional career in such a high-impact game.”
Mr. Cesario Silvano Barreto, Futsal, Mauputar FC, Timor Leste
“Innovation plays a key role in shaping my performance as a futsal player, especially through improved training methods and teamwork with tools like video analysis and performance data, these help improve positioning, communication, and decision-making during matches. Even with limited access to advanced technology in Timor-Leste, small innovations in how we train and work as a team still make a big difference. It is important to recognize and protect these ideas, because they support progress in the sport and ensure that valuable knowledge can be shared, improved, and sustained over time.”
Download the consolidated reflections
More ASEAN sport-in-action stories will be updated throughout 2026, in celebration of World IP Day 2026. Stay tuned to WSO News for more exciting updates.