SHAH ALAM, July 18 — The state will be represented by 704 athletes and 213 officials at the 2024 Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak, which will take place from August 17 to August 24.
Selangor Sports Council executive director Mohamad Nizam Marjugi said all athletes and officials, including coaches, were listed for the biennial Games before the registration deadline on July 5.
As part of the preparations, the athletes will be tested through a series of friendly competitions to measure their readiness for the Games.
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Selangor State Sports Council executive director Mohamad Nizam Marjugi.[/caption]
"The Selangor contingent has finalised the list of 704 athletes for Sukma, and all of them are now in the final phase of team training and preparation.
"All teams will undergo centralised training according to their respective sports for two weeks before departing for Sarawak in stages," he told Bernama.
Selangor, which emerged as the overall champion nine times, is targeting 61 gold medals in this edition, with swimming, athletics, archery, tennis, and badminton being the main events expected to contribute medals.
For team events, Nizam said men's football, volleyball, sepak takraw, and basketball are anticipated to potentially bring home gold medals for Selangor.
"Selangor has a balanced lineup of athletes, and each sport can contribute at least one gold medal.
"At the same time, we want and are confident that each athlete in the focus sports can perform well and bring home gold for Selangor," he said.
Selangor, which is expected to participate in 37 types of sports, received an early morale boost from Raja Muda Selangor Tengku Amir Shah, who agreed to join the state contingent for this Games, thus motivating the athletes to deliver their best performances.
Nizam added that on August 3, all competing athletes will be given briefings on doping and injury management, followed by a flag presentation ceremony by Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari.
At Sukma 2022, Selangor won 130 medals, comprising 31 gold, 55 silver, and 44 bronze, finishing fifth overall.
— Bernama
