KUALA LUMPUR – The Youth and Sports Ministry is set to introduce a new national multi-sport event, primarily targeting athletes aged 40 and above.
Minister Hannah Yeoh said that the ministry’s objective is to reshape the public perception of the ministry, highlighting its exclusivity beyond the youth demographic.
Hannah revealed that the new event, yet to be officially named, will provide an open platform for athletes above the typical age range of participants.
This move is in conjunction with the Malaysian Games (Sukma) scheduled for Sarawak this year.
“If we aspire for Malaysia to be a sporting nation, we should host competitions like this to sustain interest, or else we will be relying solely on the youth.
“We also aim to change the public’s perception of the Sports Ministry, highlighting that sports are for everyone, not just the youth,” said Hannah at the 2024 Sports Ministry Mandate Council in Bukit Jalil today.
While the official name of the multi-sport event is pending confirmation, its anticipated launch is set for the middle of this year, focusing on sports suitable for participants of all ages.
The National Sports Council (NSC) has been tasked with organising the event, albeit with a strategic focus due to budget constraints.
“We are not planning to organise all sports as we do in Sukma. Due to budget constraints, we need to be selective and concentrate on sports suitable for all age groups.
“The initiative will kick off this year, starting in Kuala Lumpur, and we will assess its continuation thereafter,” Hannah added.
The 21st edition of Sukma is scheduled for August 17 to 24 this year, with Sarawak hosting the prestigious event for the third time, following its first in 1990 and the second in 2016.
Originally slated for July 2020 in Johor, the 20th edition was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, ultimately being held by the NSC in September 2022.
This year’s Sukma is expected to feature a total of 431 sports events. – January 11, 2024