“From a positive standpoint, we can choose where to stay. With a games village, athletes have to accept whichever rooms are assigned, whether comfortable or not. Another issue (with games village) is meals — we would have to collect them. Sometimes meals are prepared too early, which can lead to food poisoning and similar issues,” he said.
He said this at the Terengganu athletes academic excellence appreciation programme here last night, during which 40 athletes who scored between 4As and 12As in the 2025 SPM received incentives ranging from RM300 to RM500 each.
However, Hishamuddin said the absence of a games village for the biennial event would also pose greater challenges for state contingents in managing various aspects, given the large number of athletes.
As such, he urged organisers of SUKMA Selangor 2026 to review the RM100 daily subsidy provided to athletes, in light of rising costs.
He said increases in food, accommodation and transportation costs, following a rise in diesel prices, are placing pressure on state contingents.
Recently, Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the SUKMA 2026 in Selangor this August will be held without a centralised games village, with each athlete instead receiving a RM100 daily subsidy to help cover accommodation and related expenses throughout the Games.
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