Melaka To Rely On Wushu To Hit 20-Gold Target At Selangor SUKMA

MELAKA, June 22 (Bernama) -- Melaka plans to rely on wushu to meet its 20 gold medal target for the upcoming 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Selangor in August.

Melaka Youth, Sports and Non-governmental organisation (NGO) Committee chairman Datuk VP Shanmugam, who is the state’s SUKMA contingent chef-de-mission, said that it was based on the wushu squad’s excellent performance as the biggest contributor of gold medals at the 2024 SUKMA in Sarawak.

"We are confident that wushu will bring in gold medals, but we will not neglect other sports as we have a 20 gold medal target for the Melaka contingent at the Selangor SUKMA,” he told reporters after the Melaka state government’s monthly gathering here today, adding that other sports with potential of contributing gold medals include pencak silat, squash and badminton.

He also said that the 20 gold medal target was realistic and achievable based on the current performance of athletes and preparations.

"If we base it on the confidence of sports associations, the number of medals promised might exceed 30 gold, such as in karate and silambam, but we choose to set a more realistic target of 20 gold,” he said, adding that out of the 700 or more athletes registered under 36 sports associations in the state, 560 athletes have been shortlisted for SUKMA.

Meanwhile, athlete preparations are at about 90 per cent and final preparations are being done ahead of the upcoming Games, he added.

-- BERNAMA