By Aliff Haiqal Mohamed
SHAH ALAM, Jan 27 — Selangor’s status as a developed state will be tested during the hosting of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2026, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
High expectations are placed on the state as it takes on the role of host for the second time.
“Selangor is often mentioned as the largest contributor to the gross domestic product and as having the highest state revenue collection.
“Therefore, great expectations are placed on us. This is our challenge,” he said during his New Year 2025 address at the State Secretariat Building today.
Amirudin urged all parties to begin preparations and planning to ensure the smooth organisation of the biennial sporting event.
“Let us start planning now because we are not expecting a small number of participants but rather tens of thousands of athletes, officials, spectators, and supporters. We need to organise the groundwork properly,” he said.
Selangor will host Sukma next year, having last hosted it in 1998.
Earlier, the organising committee for the games announced that Sukma will be held on August 2026 in Selangor.
The committee is considering the Sepang International Circuit as the venue for Sukma 2026’s official opening and closing ceremonies, while the Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium has been identified for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Para Sukma.
During the presentation of the 2025 Selangor Budget on November 15 last year, the Menteri Besar announced a RM6 million allocation to implement sports development programmes in preparation for the 22nd Sukma.
He also revealed that the state government estimates a cost exceeding RM150 million to organise the games, with 90 per cent of the infrastructure to be utilised in Selangor.
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