Exco: Home advantage expected to boost medal haul, preparations on track
SELANGOR has set an ambitious target of 80 gold medals at the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma), riding on confidence from hosting the national sporting event on home ground.
State youth, sports and entrepreneurship committee chairman Najwan Halimi said swimming and athletics were expected to bring in the most medals for Selangor.
“These two sports have always been our strong suit and we are optimistic about our prospects,” he said after the launch of the volunteer programme for Sukma at Dataran Kemerdekaan in Shah Alam yesterday.
Also present was Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Selangor Deputy Secretary (Management) Datuk Mohd Yazid Sairi and Selangor Deputy Secretary (Development) Datuk Johary Anuar.
Sukma is held every two years, with the next edition scheduled for Aug 15 to 24.
This will be the second time Selangor hosts the event, the first having taken place in 1998.
In the two previous Sukma editions held in Sarawak and Penang, Selangor secured 56 and 31 gold medals respectively.
Najwan, who is also Sukma executive committee chairman, said preparations for the Games were progressing smoothly, with upgrading works at two venues now about 80% complete.
The venues are Darul Ehsan Aquatic Centre in Shah Alam and National Shooting Range in Subang.
There will be 474 events across 37 sports taking place at 52 venues across Selangor.
The state will also host the Para Sukma Games, slated to be held between Sept 5 and 10, featuring 316 events across 10 sports.
Najwan said Selangor was targeting to recruit 5,000 volunteers for the Games.
“So far, more than 1,000 people have signed up to become volunteers and piority is given to Selangor folk aged between 18 and 40,” he said, adding that volunteers would also receive a daily allowance.
Those interested in becoming a volunteer can register online, after which they would be vetted by a committee.
Successful applicants will also be required to attend briefings to ensure smooth running of the Games.
To register as volunteer, visit www.selangor2026.com
