THE selection of sports to be contested at the 2024 Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak was done openly through the cooperation of all stakeholders without any prejudice towards any other sports. 

National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Ahmad Shapawi said decisions regarding the type and the number of events were made by the Sukma Supreme Committee, which comprises state youth and sports committees as well as Olympic Council of Malaysia members representing national sports associations.

“During the March 16 meeting, the Sukma Supreme Committee admitted that of the 103 sports registered under the Sports Development Act 1997, only some of them could be included to ensure quality organisation and the provision of logistics support services based on the capability of the organiser.

“As such, the Sukma Supreme Committee accepted the summary of the Sukma Transformation Workshop, which was attended by representatives from all state sports councils and the Education Ministry… that only 28 sports be selected,” he said.

He said this via a statement issued by the NSC today in response to Kabbadi Association of Malaysia secretary-general Peter Gopi.

Peter in a viral video expressed his disappointment as kabbadi was not listed as a Sukma event.

“Sarawak as the host of the 2024 Sukma was allowed to list four selected sports and chose boxing, muay Thai, e-sports and petanque,” Shapawi said.

Shapawi also said the remaining 75 out of the 103 types of registered sports can still be included in future editions of Sukma starting from 2026. – Bernama, March 25, 2023.