KUALA SELANGOR, Aug 19 — Selangor petanque athlete Muhammad Arif Irfan Zainudin is determined to make his final Malaysia Games (SUKMA) appearance count by delivering a gold medal for the host contingent.
The 21-year-old said SUKMA 2026 marks his second appearance at the Games after making his debut at Sarawak 2024 in the mixed doubles event.
“Thanks to God, I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to compete for a second time, this time with Selangor.
“This is also my final SUKMA, so I hope to give my very best,” he told Media Selangor.
At Sarawak 2024, Muhammad Arif Irfan won a bronze medal for Selangor in the mixed doubles event, an experience that has fuelled his determination to go for gold this time around.
“If possible, I hope to contribute a gold medal for Selangor and also achieve it for myself,” he said.
On his preparations for the Games, Muhammad Arif Irfan said he began training on his own shortly after Sarawak 2024 before joining the Selangor petanque squad's training camp.
He said training with the team over the past year had helped him improve his performance and prepare more thoroughly for the competition.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Arif Irfan, who recently completed a Diploma in Banking at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), said he is now awaiting an opportunity to pursue a degree.
He is scheduled to compete at the Kuala Selangor Sports Complex Petanque Arena this afternoon as he takes aim at gold for the state contingent.
