Selangor Journal
The Selangor contingent joins the 21st Malaysian Games opening ceremony march at Stadium Sarawak, Kuching, on August 17, 2024. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/MEDIA SELANGOR

Selangor gears up to host Sukma 2026, select right venues

By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar

SHAH ALAM, Jan 17 — Selangor is actively carrying out early preparations to ensure the smooth organisation of the Malaysian Games (Sukma) in the state, leading up to its role as host in 2026.

The 2026 Sukma Secretariat’s chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Yazid Sairi said this involves various aspects, including infrastructure development, improvement of sports facilities, venue selection, and event management.

At this initial stage, venues for the games are being identified to ensure they are conducive and suitable for all parties, including disabled persons for the Para Sukma.

“The Secretariat is focusing on venues because, traditionally, Sukma is accompanied by the Para Sukma. What is important to us at this early stage is ensuring the selected venues are conducive for all parties as stipulated by the Youth and Sports Ministry.

“Some venues we used for events more than 20 years ago may need repairs. However, at the local authority level, there are 12 local authorities with excellent sports infrastructure, including the Kelana Jaya Stadium, which Selangor FC uses for the Malaysian League.

“We also have state-owned halls, swimming pools, commercial centres, and privately-owned convention facilities that we can rent,” he said during SelangorTV’s Bicara Semasa programme.

Yazid added that the athletes’ village and sports event venues will also receive special attention to ensure facilities and comfort which support their performance during the games.

He said 28 core sports are scheduled to be contested in Sukma 2026, comprising 21 individual sports and seven team sports.

“Meanwhile, additional events will be decided by the committee. We aim to avoid controversies (regarding events contested at Sukma 2026) and evaluate participants based on their actual talent and ability in their respective sports,” Yazid said.

The last time Selangor hosted this prestigious sporting event was in 1998.

Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari has said the state government has estimated that the biennial games will cost over RM150 million to organise, in addition to utilising 90 per cent of Selangor’s existing infrastructure.

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