Silambam among new sports proposed for Sukma 2026

The Selangor government has proposed adding petanque, muay thai, and silambam as new sports for the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Selangor, said state Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Committee chairperson Najwan Halimi.

Najwan, also the Sukma 2026 Selangor Organising Committee chairperson, said the proposal will be submitted soon to the Sukma supreme council, with a final decision expected by Aug 15.

He added that the approval depends on all state representatives attending the council meeting chaired by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.

“At the supreme council meeting on Aug 5, the state government received requests from national and state sports associations to reconsider additional sports,” he said.

Following that, today’s Selangor State Executive Council meeting chaired by Menteri Besar Seri Amirudin Shari, decided to propose petanque, muay thai, and silambam to the supreme council.

Speaking at a media briefing on Sukma preparations at Bangunan Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, Mohd Najwan said overall preparations are over 50 percent complete, including facility upgrades, with all work expected to finish by March next year.

Regarding pickleball’s exclusion, he said the sport is growing in popularity, but it is premature to include it.

- Bernama

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