SHAH ALAM, Aug 5 — Four additional sports: e-sports, cricket, chess, and kabaddi, will be contested at the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Selangor, scheduled to take place from August 15 to August 24, 2026.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the Sukma Supreme Committee Meeting agreed to include two new compulsory sports: boxing and softball, bringing the number of core sports to 30 for this edition of the games.
This brings the total number of sports to be contested at the biennial event hosted by Selangor next year to 34.
"The meeting also approved the official participation of the Brunei Darussalam national contingent in Sukma 2026. The Sukma Technical Special Committee will determine the types and number of sports they will compete in in the near future.
“The State Sports Executive Councillor's Meeting held before today's session also decided that, starting from the next edition of Para Sukma in Selangor, state contingents will participate through their respective State Sports Councils rather than the Department of Youth and Sports,” she said during a press conference after the meeting today.
When asked about the absence of pickleball as a contested event, Yeoh said the sport was only recently gazetted, and requires significant investment along with support from at least six states per Sukma regulations.
“Although pickleball is not part of Sukma, we are organising competitions at masters-level tournaments, especially in schools, which began last year,” she said.
The minister is satisfied with Selangor’s preparations, which have now reached 50 per cent overall progress.
“I believe the Sukma hosted by Selangor will be an inclusive event, with existing venues utilised, a new venue for the opening ceremony, and increased female athlete participation,” Yeoh said.
