SHAH ALAM, July 27 — Selangor's contingent must produce its best performance and emerge overall champion at the Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA), repeating the success it achieved 28 years ago when the state also hosted the biennial Games.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari urged the state's athletes to uphold sportsmanship, support one another and work closely with team officials and the state administration in pursuit of that goal.
He also reminded athletes to demonstrate maturity in competition, stressing that success should be earned fairly and recognised on merit rather than through cheating or breaking the rules.
"If we aspire to become a progressive state, all our people, including our athletes, must consistently uphold the values of sportsmanship because that is how we measure our performance and strategy.
"Victory has no value if it is achieved unfairly or outside the rules of the game. That is why there are judges. Football has VAR (video assistant referee), while doping tests are conducted to ensure there is no abuse of prohibited substances," he said.
Amirudin said this while addressing the Selangor contingent during the state flag presentation ceremony for the 2026 SUKMA at the Dewan Jubli Perak here yesterday.
Amirudin also reminded athletes and officials to conduct themselves professionally and display exemplary behaviour, as they would be observed by guests and competitors from across the country.
He said the Games were expected to attract up to 18,000 people, including more than 13,000 athletes, as well as officials and supporters from every state.
"Let us be gracious hosts and organisers. We will be judged on our ability to stage an efficient Games with well-organised events, while providing excellent hospitality to athletes and guests alike," he said.
The 22nd edition of SUKMA, to be held from August 15 to 24, will feature 469 events across 37 sports at 52 venues in nine districts.
The Para SUKMA will feature 369 events in 10 sports: swimming, athletics, badminton, table tennis, tenpin bowling, lawn bowls, archery, chess, boccia and powerlifting.
The country's biggest multi-sport event will feature contingents from all Malaysian states, with Brunei Darussalam confirmed as the invited contingent, bringing the total number of participating contingents to 15.
