SELANGOR OPTIMISTIC ABOUT TOP THREE FINISH IN SUKMA 2024

SHAH ALAM, June 12 (Bernama) -- Selangor is optimistic about securing a top-three position in the upcoming 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma), set to take place from Aug 17 to 24 in Sarawak.

Selangor Sports Council executive director Mohamad Nizam Marjugi said the state is also targeting to secure 13 to 15 per cent of the total 488 gold medals up for grabs.

He further said that Selangor plans to send a team of 1,138 athletes and compete in all 37 sports featured at the biennial event.

“We’re 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’re confident that we’ll 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.

According to Mohamad Nizam, the final list of athletes representing Selangor is expected to be announced in early July.

He said 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’re focusing on several events that have the potential to contribute gold medals, such as 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