By Fitri Hazim Hazam
SHAH ALAM, Feb 7 — Selangor, set to host the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma), aims to feature esports in its lineup following the positive response of the event at last year’s Sukma in Sarawak.
State executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi said that Selangor has a strong line-up of esports athletes with the potential to secure medals.
"Although esports is not a core sport, we expect it to receive a positive response at Sukma 2024. As a result, Selangor plans to continue hosting the esports event.
"The Selangor Sukma 2026 Secretariat has already met with the National Sports Council (MSN) director general Abdul Rashid Yaakub to discuss the upcoming sports events," he said at a press conference for the Selangor Future Cup 2025 tournament at the AEON Shah Alam shopping centre, yesterday.
He added that the final list of sports events for Sukma will be finalised after Aidilfitri.
When asked about the progress of the esports facility at the Carlton Hotel, Najwan said that Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated), or MBI, will oversee the development of a renovation plan.
“The state government is awaiting the MBI’s plan as the building owner. An allocation of RM1 million has been provided, but the funds will be disbursed based on the specific needs of the hotel’s renovation,” he said.
During the tabling of the Selangor Budget 2025, Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari announced that the state government would renovate the Carlton Hotel in Section 13, transforming it into an esports facility with an allocation of RM1 million https://tinyurl.com/4rfvr735.
He said that the initiative offers the state an opportunity to host esports competitions at both Asean and international levels.
