By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, April 2 — Selangor has set its eyes on winning at least 60 gold medals to be in the top-three finish of the 2022 Malaysia Games (Sukma) which is scheduled to take place from September 29 to October 8.
State executive councillor for sports Mohd Khairuddin Othman is confident that the target can be achieved based on the current performance of state athletes as well as their training which has been consistent.
“In the past, our target was 80 gold medals, but now maybe 60. I have asked the Selangor State Sports Council (MSNS) to ensure that Selangor remains in the top position of between one to three in Sukma.
“I believe MSNS under the leadership of Mohamad Nizam Marjugi will monitor our athletes so that they will be ready to bring in the fight at the games,” he said after attending the award ceremony for Selangor Para Swimming Athletes here last night.
Mohd Khairuddin said he expected a total of 800 state athletes will participate in the games but added that the official figure will be decided by Selangor MSN after a discussion that will be held soon.
He explained that the Sukma Technical Committee has not finalised the number of sporting events that will be contested in the games.
“So far, there has been no decision on the matter (sporting events) and it is still being discussed with the states sports councils. However, we heard that two or three events will not be contested,” he added.
The 20th edition of Sukma, postponed for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will finally take place in the Klang Valley.
The Cabinet had on February 23, voiced its support and approved the hosting of these games, to be known as ‘Sukma XX, National Sports Council (NSC) 2022’, to ensure the development of sports at the state level.
The Sukma Supreme Committee also agreed to maintain the previously agreed age limit rules and conditions.
During last night’s event, the state government has awarded RM15,000 to the Selangor Para Swimming Association (REPS) for its success in producing many global athletes in the sport.
Mohd Khairuddin said the donation was a sign of support with the hope that the association would continue to play an active role in developing the talents of para-swimming athletes.
“We will always work with REPS to ensure that the swimming athletes continue to progress in this sport, thus bringing the name of Selangor and the country to the international level.
“Many athletes under this association have won gold medals at international tournaments. We are proud and always pray that they (athletes) can make Selangor famous, ”he said.
He also announced that the state aims to win nine gold medals in the swimming event at the Sukma XX, NSC 2022 Para Games which is scheduled from October 29 to November 6.
Also present last night were Selangor MSN executive director Mohamad Nizam Marjugi, Malaysian Paralympic Council president Dato’ Sri Megat D Shariman Zaharudin and REPS president Muhammad Redzuan Ismail.
