KUALA LUMPUR – Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh is currently considering proposals to review the participation criteria for events in the Malaysia Games (Sukma).
This initiative is part of the ministry’s long-term strategy to ensure Malaysia can produce more athletes in the next five to 10 years, aligning with Sukma’s original objective of discovering new national talent.
As the chairperson of the Sukma High Committee, Hannah feels that the existing participation format has limited the National Sports Council’s (NSC) ability to recruit new athletes. Additionally, the shortage of athletes at the state level has resulted in several events being unable to proceed.
This shortage became apparent with the controversy surrounding the removal of the women’s 10m platform diving and women’s futsal events in Sukma Sarawak, scheduled for this August. This issue was raised by national diving queen Datuk Pandelela Rinong.
Ironically, diving has often been a major stronghold for the country in several world sporting events, particularly the Olympics.
“Currently, if six states invest in a particular sport, and if all six participate, the sport will continue at the Sukma level. But if only three states participate, it cannot proceed.
“Such regulations, while beneficial for states in terms of their gold medal haul, are not conducive to the sport’s development.
“Diving, particularly the women’s 10m platform category, was almost dropped from Sukma due to insufficient participation from six states. After our review, if all states agree, it can be continued. So, I want this study to be comprehensive.
“At the NSC level, the committee chaired by Suria Gandhi, who is also an Olympian, is reviewing the overall development of sports, including programmes such as NHDP (National Hockey Development Programme), NFDP (National Football Development Programme), NRDP (National Rugby Development Programme), and NNDP (National Netball Development Programme), to align those programmes with Sukma.
“Although I aim for Olympic gold medals in Paris, our goal is more than just that dream. I want us to have various backup athletes within the next five to 10 years. I no longer want us to rely solely on (Datuk) Pandelela Rinong and (Datuk) Azizulhasni Awang,” said Hannah.
Sukma Sarawak is scheduled to take place from August 17 to 24, featuring 488 events from 37 different sports.
The sporting event will be held in six different districts: Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu, and Miri. – June 9, 2024