By Amar Shah Mohsen
SHAH ALAM, Sept 13 — Having grown up in the golden era of Selangor sports in the 1990s, Mohd Najwan Halimi has witnessed some of the best sporting moments as a resident of the state.
Now that he is state executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship, he intends to restore Selangor’s former glory and revitalise its competitive edge.
This, according to him, is why the state has been paying more attention in the sports industry of late.
“I was brought up in the 1990s where I witnessed Selangor being the best — we had the best football team and the best sports infrastructure and facilities. We also used to organise major sporting events, like the 1998 Malaysian Games (Sukma).
“Fair enough, we are the most developed state today. Economically we are strong and politically we are stable. But there’s a lack of oomph.
“I spoke to the menteri besar (Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari) and asked him: ‘Why don’t we bring back the glory days of Selangor being an attraction for sports; the elite sports venue’,” he said during Selangor Journal’s talk show Lunch on Us! yesterday.
Najwan said among efforts taken to restore Selangor’s heyday is to organise prestigious sporting events, drawing attention not only from the locals, but also the global audience.
[caption id="attachment_263427" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
The Badminton Asia Team Championships 2022 in progress at Setia City Convention Centre, Shah Alam, on February 15, 2022. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Earlier this year, the state hosted the fifth edition of the Badminton Asia Team Championships at the Setia City Convention Centre, Shah Alam. Selangor will also be the host state for Sukma 2026.
“I told the menteri besar we need to start focusing on sports tourism to attract more visitors.”
“Selangor is like a mini Malaysia, with its diverse culture and languages, so why not leverage this to our advantage? Sports is actually our strength in attracting more investment.”
Meanwhile, Najwan said, if there is a necessity and opportunity, Selangor might consider organising some SEA Games 2027 events as Malaysia is set to host.
Previously, it was reported Sabah, Sarawak and Penang will co-host the games with Kuala Lumpur, although the former later said it is rethinking its plan.
Najwan said Selangor’s focus is on redeveloping the Shah Alam Stadium and hosting Sukma 2026.
“If there’s a necessity to be part of it (SEA Games), why not? We definitely want to be part of it. We might offer a few sports to be organised here.
“We have all the facilities, and we have extended an offer for the Youth and Sports Ministry to hold sporting events in Selangor, but to be (SEA Games 2027) co-host, we have to relook (the matter) after Sukma, as it is still too early to say.”
