KOTA KINABALU: July 29, 2026 – Sabah has set a target of 40 gold medals at the 22nd Malaysia Games (SUKMA) and 66 gold medals at the Para SUKMA games, both to be hosted by Selangor this year.
State Youth, Sports and Creative Economy Development Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said the targets were realistic, based on the contingent’s strong performances in previous editions.
He noted that Sabah’s best SUKMA result came in Perak in 2018, where it secured 33 golds, 27 silvers and 46 bronzes. At the Para SUKMA, Sabah finished as overall runners-up in Sarawak in 2024 with 62 golds, 42 silvers and 32 bronzes.
“Our best-ever Para SUKMA performance was winning the overall title in Kuala Lumpur in 2022, after collecting 54 golds, 36 silvers and 35 bronzes,” he told the media on Tuesday after chairing a final preparatory meeting for the Sabah contingent.
Sabah will compete in 36 of the 37 sports on offer at SUKMA, and in 10 events at the Para SUKMA. The sports entered include aquatics, weightlifting, badminton, cycling, netball, basketball, football, volleyball, lawn bowls, gymnastics, golf, hockey, judo, karate, fencing, archery, shooting and athletics.
For the Para SUKMA, the contingent will take part in para badminton, boccia, para lawn bowls, para chess, para archery, para athletics, para table tennis, powerlifting, para swimming and para tenpin bowling.
A total of 943 people will make up Sabah’s SUKMA contingent – comprising 744 athletes (385 men, 359 women), 51 team managers and 148 coaches. The Para SUKMA contingent, meanwhile, will number 271, consisting of 154 athletes and 117 officials.
Nizam expressed his appreciation to Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor for his continued support of the state’s sports development. He also thanked all parties involved in the preparations.
He expressed hope that all athletes and officials would deliver their best performances, maintain strict discipline and uphold Sabah’s name in order to achieve the set targets.
The 22nd SUKMA will take place from 15 to 24 August 2026, while the Para SUKMA Selangor 2026 is scheduled for 5 to 11 September 2026.
Source: JAPEN
