Sukma, Para Sukma torch relay reaches penultimate stop

(From fourth left) Orang Besar Daerah Kuala Langat Tengku Mohamed Alhaj Tengku Harun, Amri, Najwan and Borhan at the Kuala Langat Merdeka Run, held alongside the Sukma, Para Sukma torch relay. (Front row from second left) Orang Besar Daerah Kuala Langat Tengku Mohamed Alhaj Tengku Harun, Amri, Najwan and Borhan at the Kuala Langat Merdeka Run, held alongside the Sukma and Para Sukma torch relay. — Courtesy of Kuala Langat Municipal Council

Over 500 participants gathered at Dataran Pantai Batu Laut in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, for a morning run organised by Kuala Langat Municipal Council (MPKL).

Known as the Kuala Langat Merdeka Run, it was held alongside the Malaysia Games (Sukma) Selangor 2026 and Para Sukma 5km torch run.

Launching the event was state youth, sports and entrepreneurship committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi.

The torch run has been ongoing for the past three months, with Kuala Langat serving as the penultimate destination before its final stop in Sepang.

During the event, MPKL also presented incentive awards to athletes and teams for their achievements at Selan­gor Government Servants Wel­fare and Sports Council (Maksak) Championship 2026 held in Bukit Malawati.

Recognition was accorded to the runner-up in the women’s veteran category, the champion in the mix relay and the runner-up for best management.

Additionally, RM9,000 was presented to athletes representing Selangor in Sukma, which starts this month, to support their preparation and participation.

The allocation breakdown is RM5,000 for 25 silambam athletes and RM4,000 for 20 sailing athletes.

The silambam events are scheduled to take place from Aug 21 to 24 at Subang Jaya City Council’s indoor sta­dium, while sailing events will be held from Aug 17 to 22 at Pantai Batu Laut in Tanjong Sepat.

Also present at the event were Sukma Selangor 2026 secretariat chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Yazid Sairi, state housing and culture committee chairman and Tanjung Sepat assemblyman Datuk Borhan Aman Shah and MPKL president Amri Ismail.

Buoyed by the good turnout, Amri invited the public to watch the Sukma sailing competition at Batu Laut beach.

He said the excitement of hosting Sukma would go a long way towards promoting Kuala Langat, a haven for paragliders, as a sports and recreation hub.

“We are ready for Sukma,” said Najwan during a press conference.

He added that the final leg of preparations would be at Data­ran Kemerdekaan in Shah Alam for the opening ceremony on Aug 15.

During the press conference, Borhan urged local entrepreneurs to start promoting their services and products in anticipation of the influx of tourists.

“When the athletes come, they will be with their families and supporters.

“In previous years during sailing events, hotels and homestays were usually fully booked a month in advance,” he said.