Success Of Hosting SUKMA 2026 Will Have Positive Impact On Sports Development In Malaysia - Amirudin

SHAH ALAM, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- The successful hosting of the 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Selangor will have a positive impact on the overall development of sports in Malaysia, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

He said SUKMA remains the biggest national sporting event organised in the country.

"Here, I also want to call on all the teams and those who will be involved to give their best focus, because this is not just about personal, community, or state achievement, but it is also the country's image.

"It is certain that this success (of hosting SUKMA) will also have a positive impact on the development of the sports industry in Malaysia as a whole," he said when launching the logo, mascot, and theme for SUKMA and Para SUKMA Selangor 2026 at Dewan Raja Muda Musa here today.

Also present were Youth and Sports Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Dr K. Nagulendran and Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) President Tan Sri Dr Mohamad Norza Zakaria.

Also present were Selangor Exco for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi, who is also the Chairman of the 22nd Selangor SUKMA 2026 Organising Committee, and Selangor Deputy State Secretary (Management) Datuk Mohd Yazid Sairi, who is also the CEO of the SUKMA 2026 Secretariat.

At the event, a pair of White Eagles were introduced as the official mascots of SUKMA Selangor, symbolising strength and the spirit of youth, while 'Rentak Kita, Aksi Kita' (Our Rhythm, Our Action) was chosen as the theme for the games.

The dynamic male and female mascots were designed to represent unity, inclusivity, and the synergy of athletes in sports, while featuring Selangor's iconic colours of red, yellow, and white.

Meanwhile, Mohd Najwan said in his speech that they are committed to ensuring that the 22nd edition of the games will be more magnificent and glorious in terms of organisation and the events contested.

He said Selangor is also taking the approach of including all events that were contested at the previous games in Sarawak, instead of selecting only events or sports that would give the host an advantage.

"Usually, any state that becomes the host will choose certain strategies and tactics to ensure they emerge as the overall champion.

"But for Selangor, we discussed it with the secretariat, and the Menteri Besar decided to contest all the sports that were in Sarawak to give all states an equal opportunity," he said.

Mohd Najwan said this step was taken to ensure that the purpose of organising SUKMA returns to its original goal: to produce and develop new talent.

"We provide a level playing field, regardless of which state the athlete comes from, because what is important in the end is for them to become athletes who carry the country's name in competitions at a higher level," he said.

-- BERNAMA