Terengganu supports scrapping the centralised games village for Sukma 2026, citing flexibility and athlete welfare, while calling for a review of the daily subsidy due to rising costs.
THE Terengganu contingent is viewing positively the organisers’ decision to forgo a centralised games village for the 2026 Selangor Malaysia Games (SUKMA).
State Youth Development, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee chairman Hishamuddin Abdul Karim (pix) said the move allows each state to choose accommodation that is more comfortable and better suited to athletes’ needs.
“For the Terengganu contingent, we have instructed associations to find accommodation that is closest to competition venues and comfortable. So far, everything is running smoothly.
“From a positive standpoint, we can choose where to stay. With a games village, athletes have to accept whichever rooms are assigned, whether comfortable or not. Another issue (with games village) is meals — we would have to collect them. Sometimes meals are prepared too early, which can lead to food poisoning and similar issues,” he said.
He said this at the Terengganu athletes academic excellence appreciation programme here last night, during which 40 athletes who scored between 4As and 12As in the 2025 SPM received incentives ranging from RM300 to RM500 each.
However, Hishamuddin said the absence of a games village for the biennial event would also pose greater challenges for state contingents in managing various aspects, given the large number of athletes.
As such, he urged organisers of SUKMA Selangor 2026 to review the RM100 daily subsidy provided to athletes, in light of rising costs.
He said increases in food, accommodation and transportation costs, following a rise in diesel prices, are placing pressure on state contingents.
Recently, Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the SUKMA 2026 in Selangor this August will be held without a centralised games village, with each athlete instead receiving a RM100 daily subsidy to help cover accommodation and related expenses throughout the Games.