By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar
SHAH ALAM, Jan 18 — The Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2026 will serve as a platform for discovering new talents to represent the state and nation in international competitions.
Selangor Sukma Secretariat's chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Yazid Sairi said previous editions of the biennial sporting event saw many records broken across various sports disciplines.
“Based on past editions, we found that numerous national and SEA Games records were successfully broken by athletes during their participation in Sukma,” he said during SelangorTV's 'Bicara Semasa' programme on Tuesday (January 14).
[caption id="attachment_387117" align="alignright" width="332"]
Selangor Sukma Secretariat's chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Yazid Sairi speaks during SelangorTV's 'Bicara Semasa' programme at Media Selangor in Shah Alam, on January 14, 2025. — Picture by FIKRI YUSOF/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Selangor is set to host Sukma 2026, marking its return as host after last doing so in 1998.
Commenting on preparations, Yazid is confident that Selangor's sports facilities are in excellent and comfortable conditions to accommodate contingents and spectators from across the country.
“In addition, hosting this sporting event will positively impact the local economy.
“When people come to Selangor to watch the events, it will help to boost the prosperity of the local community’s economy,” he said.
Earlier, state executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi said the Selangor government aims to hold Sukma events across all districts to ensure the economic benefits are shared by all levels of society.
During the 2025 Selangor Budget presentation on November 15 last year, Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari announced a RM6 million allocation for sports development programmes in preparation for the 22nd Sukma.
The state government has estimated it will cost over RM150 million to host the event, with 90 per cent of the infrastructure being utilised within Selangor.
[caption id="attachment_369526" align="aligncenter" width="1195"]
(from left to right) Selangor swimming athletes Loke Yew Jien, Jayden Goh Li Jie, Andrew Goh Zheng Yen, and Teoh Kar Chuan with their gold medals after the men's medley relay event during the 21st Malaysia Games, at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre in Petra Jaya, Kuching, Sarawak, on August 23, 2024. — Picture by MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
