SELANGOR marked several milestones at this year’s Malaysia Games (Sukma), achieving its largest-ever haul of 101 gold medals while hosting events across all nine of its districts.
The state followed up with its first-ever Para Sukma title, bringing home 93 golds.
“The organisers structured Sukma 2026 this way to promote all nine districts and to support their local economies,” said Selangor youth, sports, and entrepreneurship committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi.
“The double championship win for Sukma and Para Sukma was a huge success for Selangor, both as host and a competing state.”
He credited the success of both events to the support offered by state government-linked companies (GLCs), local authorities (PBTs), and volunteers.
“The PBTs allocated funds from their own budgets to upgrade sports facilities and infrastructure, such as the tennis courts in Petaling Jaya and hockey stadium in Klang.
“We also received nearly RM8mil in sponsorships in cash and in kind from various state GLCs and private companies,” he added, noting that several state GLCs and PBTs were assigned individual sports to adopt and help finance.
Mohd Najwan, who is also the Sukma and Para Sukma 2026 organising and implementation committee chairman, said the organisers were happy with both events’ success despite a scaled-down budget.
“Keeping in mind the advice of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, to scale down the budget in view of current economic challenges, the state government reduced its original Sukma budget of RM100mil down to about RM50mil,” he said, adding that there was no federal funding.
“This was boosted by the RM8mil in sponsorships, while MBI Selangor and Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) funded the opening and closing ceremonies respectively.”
In comparison, Mohd Najwan said the Sarawak government spent more than RM200mil for Sukma 2024 and received funding from the Federal Government.
He stressed that the organisers ensured Sukma and Para Sukma maintained high quality, acquiring savings by omitting fireworks and drone shows and removing non-essential operational expenditure and souvenirs.
“We used slightly different approaches for Sukma 2026. We didn’t use an athletes’ village, but gave the state contingents the flexibility to choose their own accommodation,” said Mohd Najwan.
“As various sporting events were held across the state, including Sabak Bernam and Kuala Selangor, having a centralised athletes’ village, say in Shah Alam, would have meant a longer commute for some athletes.
“So each athlete was given RM100 per day to cover accommodation and meals, while our secretariat provided recommendations for hotels and restaurants.”
He said the organisers also structured subjective sports such as taekwondo and silat to reduce elements of favouritism or home advantage.
The games relied on help from 8,000 volunteers, who were shortlisted from more than 30,000 applicants, most aged 35 or younger.
Volunteers were rotated weekly for equal exposure and trained through workshops on event management, VIP protocols and medal ceremonies.
“I have informed the state government to preserve this bond and tap into this pool for future state events,” Mohd Najwan said, adding that the Youth and Sports Ministry has inquired about deploying these volunteers for next year’s SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.
He also added that minor volunteer registration and allowance processing hiccups have since been resolved.
Meanwhile, Mohd Najwan said the management and development programme for Para Sukma 2026 athletes was now under the Selangor State Sports Council (MSN Selangor), after responsibility shifted from the federal Youth and Sports Department.
“We treated para-athletes equally with their able-bodied counterparts, giving them top access to nutrition, coaching, and fitness regimes. They stepped up and trained hard, delivering Selangor’s first Para Sukma title.”
On career pathways for retiring athletes, Mohd Najwan acknowledged that not all are academically inclined or able to pursue tertiary education.
“MSN Selangor provides pathways into coaching or technical roles, while others are absorbed as council staff or officers.
“We encourage all athletes to balance studies and sports training, as we understand not everyone wants a long-term career in sports,” he said.
Facilities used for Sukma will now reopen for public use, including the rebranded Selangor Aquatics (formerly Darul Ehsan Aquatic Centre) in October.
The aquatic centre in Shah Alam underwent an RM42mil upgrade funded by the state government.
Mohd Najwan said new technology, such as in-pool cameras, enhanced sensors, and modern timing systems, makes Selangor Aquatics more advanced than facilities at Bukit Jalil.
“MSN Selangor will conduct a post-mortem to assess our strengths and weaknesses, re-strategise, and adapt our approaches for Sukma 2028 where necessary,” he said.
“A hands-on approach is important, which is why I regularly meet athletes to listen to their problems and understand what motivates them.”
