SHAH ALAM, Aug 20 — SUKMA organisers have improved athlete safety measures following cases of dehydration and heat exhaustion in the hot weather.
State executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi said management has been instructed to provide adequate water and allow athletes sufficient rest.
He also raised the possibility of rescheduling matches if temperatures rise too high.
“There are a few incidents where athletes were running and some collapsed due to the hot weather.
“Athlete safety and health remain a priority and the state is open to rearranging competition schedules with consensus among participating states if necessary,” he told reporters after the Selangor State Development Corporation’s (PKNS) BizMatch Mega event here today.
Najwan said these measures are to ensure athletes can do their best.
On August 17, at least six athletes reportedly experienced dehydration and heat exhaustion amid the hot weather after the men’s and women’s 3,000m steeplechase races at UPM Stadium in Serdang, which were held at around 4pm.
Selangor runner Siti Nur Fatihah Mohamad Adham missed out on her chance at a medal when she collapsed about 30m before the finish line.
Meanwhile, responding to feedback that this edition of SUKMA is less lively than the previous edition in Sarawak, Najwan said the Games are being conducted under strict cost controls in line with Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj’s decree.
“The priority is to ensure the quality, standard and integrity of sporting competitions, rather than spending heavily on ceremonial events.
“SUKMA is not about ceremonial showcases. We do not want to create the optics that SUKMA is merely to satisfy politicians’ egos,” he said.
Najwan also said SUKMA merriment is clearly seen at each venue, where young people and volunteers are supporting the athletes.
He added that after nearly 10 days since the Games began, there have been no complaints or objections about biases or poor judgment.
On Selangor’s SUKMA, he said the state athletes have been consistent and are on track.
“As of yesterday, 203 of the 468 gold medal (events) available at the Games have been contested, with Selangor having secured 31 gold medals against its target of 80.
“Selangor’s medal performance has remained consistent but it is still too early to determine whether the state will achieve its target… Athletes should not become complacent or underestimate other states,” Najwan said.
