SHAH ALAM, Aug 23 — The state government will consider granting an occasional holiday if Selangor emerge SUKMA overall champion, said state executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi.
He said the holiday, a symbol of appreciation for Selangoreans who have supported the state’s organisation of the biennial sporting event, will be proposed to Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
“However, this will only be (decided) after the final medal tally. If we emerge overall champion, maybe we will consider granting a holiday.
“Incentives for athletes will be mobilised after SUKMA is over,” he told a press conference on Selangor’s medal tally here today.
Najwan said that as of 3pm, Selangor have earned 85 gold medals, past their 80-gold target.
“We hope all athletes remained focused and do their best so they can contribute more gold medals and we become overall winner.
“We are on track to becoming SUKMA 2026 champion, but there are 90 more events until tomorrow, so we do need all athletes (to focus),” he said.
The contingent’s 80th gold medal came from the e-sports camp after a six-athlete squad beat Penang 3-1 in about 60 minutes at MPAJ Convention Centre today.
“I am grateful for and proud of the accomplishment of the 80-gold target we set before SUKMA began. As of 2pm, we have already won five gold medals today.
“There are several more events ongoing and we expect to add gold for the contingent, among (the events) are swimming, muay thai, silambam and volleyball,” Najwan told reporters.
He added that the Selangor swimming camp has earned the most gold medals, at 17 as of noon today, and that Shannon Tan Yang-Qing could be named SUKMA sportswoman thanks to her stellar performance.
“Shannon has potential as her gold haul is quite large. This athlete could be nominated or shortlisted by the SUKMA Secretariat,” he said.
As of noon today, the 16-year-old Shannon has won seven gold medals and smashed three SUKMA records, and is on the hunt for her eighth today.
She has excelled in the 400m individual medley, 200m individual medley, 200m butterfly, 100m butterfly, mixed 4x100m medley, 4x100m freestyle, and 4x200 freestyle.
