By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, Nov 1 — Selangor believes winning the 2024 Malaysia Games (Sukma) is realistic and reasonable, based on its athletes’ performances.
State executive councillor for sports Najwan Halimi was quoted by Bernama as saying the Selangor State Sports Council has given special focus on events capable of contributing medals.
He identified aquatics, athletics, lawn bowling, shooting, and archery as among the potential sports which can deliver gold for the state, and added that preparations have already begun ahead of the biennial sporting event next year.
The 21st Sukma is set to take place in Sarawak from August 17 to August 28.
Najwan said in recent years, Selangor has produced many prominent athletes, including gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi, golfer Gavin Kyle Green, and high jumper Lee Hup Wei, due to its sports development programmes.
“Selangor conducts various programmes from the grassroots to elite levels. The participation of our athletes in Sukma will allow them to showcase their abilities to represent Malaysia at a higher level in the future,” he said.
In last year’s edition, Selangor finished third behind Johor and Terengganu, with 54 gold, 46 silver, and 61 bronze medals, slightly improving from the fourth-place finish in the 2018 Sukma.
The last time the state emerged as the overall Sukma winner was in 2014. They also won the games in 1986, 1990, 1994, and 2000 and is the state with the most Sukma titles.
Meanwhile, Najwan said the state administration welcomes the RM50 million allocation by the Federal government to maintain and upgrade sports facilities nationwide under Budget 2024.
“To date, over 70 sports facilities have been renovated and upgraded by the state government according to sports regulations and specifications.
“We hope the Budget 2024 allocation can also be directed to Selangor to improve and maintain rural facilities and renovate district stadiums,” he said.
More facilities are required for new housing areas in the state, including Elmina, Rimbayu, Kuala Langat, and Rawang.
On the demolition process of the Shah Alam Stadium to make way for the construction of the new Shah Alam Sports Complex, Najwan said it will be carried out at the end of this year within a two-month timeframe.
