Nizam (fourth right) leads in gesturing Sabah’s readiness to achieve the long-standing 40-gold target in Sukma.
KOTA KINABALU (July 29): Sabah is all set to mount a strong challenge at two of the country’s major sporting events, namely the 22nd Malaysia Games (Sukma) and Para Sukma.
Selangor will be the host with Sukma taking place from Aug 15-24 followed by Para Sukma from September 5-11.
For Sukma, Sabah will field a 943-member contingent, comprising 744 athletes who will aim to achieve its long-standing target of 40 gold medals.
The 385 male and 359 female athletes will compete in 36 out of the total 37 sports contested.
The state contingent will also comprise 51 team managers and 148 coaches to provide the technical and administrative support.
For Para Sukma, Sabah will send a 271-member contingent comprising 154 athletes and 117 officials, with the target of winning 66 gold medals as they aim to regain the overall champions title they won in 2022.
Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy (MYSpaCE) Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan announced the full state contingents for both Games here on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Nizam said Sabah had made comprehensive preparations and expressed confidence that both contingents would deliver their best performances to achieve the desired results.
“The preparations for the Sabah contingent do not only involve athlete training but also cover aspects of team management, medical support, athlete welfare and logistics coordination to ensure all athletes can compete in the best possible conditions.
“I would like to express my appreciation to everyone in the Ministry, especially the Sabah Sports Council (MSN Sabah), team managers, medical teams, association committee members, coaches, athletes, parents and sponsors, as well as the various agencies and institutions that have worked tirelessly in preparing for both Games,” he added.
Nizam also said the preparations were driven by the strong support of the Sabah Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.
The state government’s commitment through consistent funding allocations has not only enabled Sabah to send a large contingent to Selangor but had also strengthened grassroots sports development programmes, he added.
All athletes and officials were reminded to maintain high discipline, sportsmanship and always uphold Sabah’s good name while in Selangor.
Cash incentives would be given to medal winners, including RM10,000 for gold medal.
“Compete honestly, fairly and with full determination. With hard work, discipline and strong commitment, I am confident that the Sabah contingent can achieve proud results in both of the nation major sporting events,” said the minister.
The 36 sports Sabah will take part in at Sukma are aquatic, weightlifting, badminton, cycling, netball, basketball, football, volleyball, lawn bowls, gymnastics, golf, hockey, judo, karate, fencing, archery, shooting, athletics, sailing, pencak silat, table tennis, rugby, sepak takraw, squash, softball, taekwondo, tennis, tenpin bowling, boxing, wushu, chess, e-sports, cricket, petanque, silambam and muay thai.
Sabah will not be taking part in kabaddi.
In Para Sukma, Sabah will be involved in all 10 sports, namely badminton, boccia, lawn bowls, chess, archery, athletics, table tennis, powerlifting, swimming and tenpin bowling.
For the record, Sabah’s best-ever Sukma medal haul came in 2018 in Perak, when the state contingent won 33 gold, 27 silver and 46 bronze medals.
As for Para Sukma, Sabah’s best showing was in Sarawak in 2024 with 62 gold, 42 silver and 32 bronze medals, where they finished second overall behind the host. In 2022, Sabah clinched their only Para Sukma overall champions title after winning 54 gold, 36 silver and 35 bronze medals.
MYSpaCE permanent secretary Datuk Mansur Asun will be the Chef de Mission for both Sabah Sukma and Para Sukma contingents.
MYSpaCE assistant minister Datuk Seri Dr Anil Jeet Singh, Sabah Sports Board (SSB) chairman Syed Ahmad Syed Abas, Sabah deputy contingent I-cum-MSN Sabah director Mohd Asneh Mohd Noor, deputy contingent II Datuk Michelle Koh, MYSpaCE deputy permanent secretary Adenan Atin and MSN Sabah deputy director Valerie Wong were among those present.
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