SUKMA 2026: 80 Gold Medals Target, Selangor Wants To Return As Overall Champions

SHAH ALAM: The pressure of performing on home ground must be translated as motivation for Selangor’s athletes in the mission to hunt for 80 gold medals and once again become the overall champions of the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) 2026.

Selangor SUKMA Contingent Chief Abbas Azmi said he is confident in the ability of the state’s athletes based on the thorough preparations carried out including physical and psychological aspects.

However, he acknowledged that the actual results of the competition are also influenced by several factors including current conditions, athletes’ emotions and weather.

“I cannot say 100 percent because it also depends on the current situation, the athletes’ mood, weather and various other factors that will affect the competition results.

“But for now I am confident that at least 80 to 85 percent of our athletes’ readiness is there to achieve the target of 80 gold medals,” he said in the Bicara Semasa programme produced by Media Selangor.

At the same time, Abbas said physical preparation and training alone are not enough without the ‘champion’ mentality and a clear direction within the athletes themselves.

“The mindset and attitude that I instil in them is that we want to be the champion. When the champion is included in their thinking, they will train to become a champion.

“That is why one of my slogans is Selangor Juara (Selangor Champions), not Selangor Boleh (Selangor Can). We already can, now we want to be champions,” he said.

He also reminded athletes to take advantage of the opportunity to represent Selangor at SUKMA to build a reputation and go further in their sports careers.

“Out of thousands of young people out there, they are the ones selected and given the chance to compete in SUKMA. So, this is the best opportunity to build a reputation and go further after this,” he said.

The 22nd SUKMA features 469 events from 37 sports across nine districts, involving 52 venues throughout the state during the games from August 15 to 24.

The Para SUKMA will be held from September 5 to 14 involving 369 events from 10 sports including swimming, athletics, badminton, table tennis, tenpin bowling, lawn bowls and archery.

Media Selangor