SHAH ALAM, June 12 — Selangor is optimistic about securing a top-three position in the upcoming 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma), which will take place in Sarawak from August 17 to August 24.
Selangor Sports Council executive director Mohamad Nizam Marjugi said they also aim to secure 13 to 15 per cent of the total 488 gold medals up for grabs.
The state plans to send a team of 1,138 athletes to compete in all 37 sports featured at the biennial event.
“We are not ready to announce a specific target for the number of gold medals yet, as there is still a long way to go until the actual competition.
“(However,) we are confident that we will improve our medal tally from the previous edition because even if we just achieve just 10 per cent of our target, Selangor will have 48 gold medals, far exceeding the 31 gold medals won in 2022,” he told Bernama.
Nizam said the final list of athletes representing Selangor is expected to be announced in early July.
All athletes are currently undergoing intensive training and are required to meet several aspects determined by their coaches, including physical and fitness preparation as well as mental and psychological readiness, to ensure they are fully prepared before the list for Sarawak is finalised.
“We are focusing on several events that have the potential to contribute gold medals, including swimming, athletics, archery, lawn bowls and shooting.
“As such, we want every athlete in these events, as well as other sports, to perform excellently and bring home gold for Selangor,” he said.
In Sukma 2022, the Selangor contingent finished third overall with 130 medals, comprising 31 gold, 55 silver, and 44 bronze.
— Bernama
