SEPANG, Jan 7 — The torch relay for the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma) is expected to begin this April, touring all nine districts in Selangor, said the state executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi.
The Sukma torch was symbolically handed over by Sarawak, the previous host state, during a courtesy visit by the Selangor Sukma Secretariat delegation to the state today.
“InsyaAllah (God willing), starting in April, we will roll out the torch relay throughout the state until it concludes in August. We will be drawing up a schedule for the torch relay tour at the Selangor level.
“During today’s meeting session in Sarawak, the symbolic handover ceremony of the torch from the previous host to Selangor as the current host was carried out.
“This torch will be officially used for the Selangor Sukma Games this year, and its symbolism is centred on sportsmanship,” he said.
Najwan was speaking to the media at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, after returning from Sarawak, where he led the Selangor delegation as the Sukma XXII and Para Sukma Selangor 2026 organising committee chairman.
He added that the state-level Torch Relay event is part of a campaign framework to intensify promotional efforts for Selangor’s second time hosting Sukma, 28 years after it last did so in 1998.
“We will announce the torch relay schedule in the near future and look forward to cooperation and strong participation from all parties, especially the local authorities, district offices, and higher learning institutions across Selangor, to be involved in this torch relay.
“This is, in fact, a historic moment for Selangor. The last time we hosted the Malaysia Games was in 1998, approximately 28 years ago, and this marks the second time we are hosting them.
“InsyaAllah, we will ensure that the organisation of Sukma 2026 will be among the best and most memorable. There are areas for improvement compared with previous editions, and we will provide the best possible service and hospitality to all participating states,” Najwan said.
This year's biennial sporting event will feature 474 events across 37 sports, running from August 15 to August 24. The Para Sukma will feature 10 sports and nearly 300 events, running from September 5 to September 14.
A total of 52 competition venues across nine districts will be used, involving 12 local authorities, public and private institutions of higher learning, government and private agencies, and the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.
