Klang venues on track for Sukma

Workers adding the finishing touches to the courts at the stadium.

REFURBISHMENT works at several sporting venues in Klang, Selangor, earmarked for the upcoming Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2026, are expected to be completed by the end of the month.

Among them are Dewan MBDK Bukit Raja for table tennis, Stadium Sultan Suleiman (rugby), Dewan Bandar Bukit Tinggi 2 (basketball), Bayuemas Indoor Stadium (lawn bowl), Pandamaran Hockey Stadium (men’s hockey), Bayuemas Cricket (cricket) and KSL Esplanade (muay thai).

Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) Community Development Department director Azhar Samsudin said the department’s Sports Unit was overseeing the upgrading works.

“Timely completion of the renovations is critical to ensure the venues are competition-ready ahead of the multi-sport event.

“Our contractors have been told to speed up work,” he told StarMetro.

The 22nd Sukma will take place in Selangor from Aug 15 to 24, followed by Para Sukma from Sept 5 to 10.

Azhar added that the upgrades would provide long-term benefits for local sports facilities, as the venues will be opened to the public after the games.

Stadium Sultan Suleiman in Klang is one of the venues being upgraded for Sukma 2026.

“Site inspections have been stepped up to ensure that works are progressing according to specifications and timelines,” he said.

The unit’s Youth and Sports assistant officer Nurul Afidah Kasim said renovation works included upgrades to playing surfaces, lighting systems, spectator amenities and athlete support facilities.

“These improvements are designed to meet the technical standards required for competition, as well as to ensure long-term usability for community sports programmes after the conclusion of the games,” she said.

Klang resident Serjeet Singh described the ­progress of the refurbishment works as encouraging.

Serjeet, a former Class 1 International Hockey Federation umpire who officiated at the European Cup in Hanover, Germany, and the Asian Games in the 1980s, said Sukma was widely regarded as a key benchmark for state-level sporting infrastructure and athlete development.

Azhar says contractors have been told to speed up works.

“Many senior sportsmen are pleased that MBDK has assured the venues will be ready on time,” he said.

Sportsman and Klang resident Murad Ali Abdullah said the objective was not just to complete the renovations, but to deliver facilities that were safe, functional and capable of supporting high performance sport.

“Emphasis must be placed on maintaining quality while avoiding delays that could disrupt final preparations for test events and logistical arrangements,” he said.