Silambam Community’s Uproar Turns to Hope as Selangor Proposes to Reinstate Sport for SUKMA 2026

By Nityaasini Sivagami

KUALA LUMPUR, 09 August 2025: The Silambam community’s vocal protests have yielded a positive outcome, as the Selangor state government announced a proposal to re-include the traditional Indian martial art in the 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) lineup. This move follows widespread outrage after the sport, which debuted in SUKMA 2024, was initially excluded from the upcoming games.

The initial decision to drop Silambam had left athletes, coaches, and supporters heartbroken, viewing the exclusion as a dismissal of their cultural identity and heritage.

“This is not just about a sport,” a statement from the community read. “It’s about identity, recognition, and respect for a culture that has been part of Malaysia for generations.”

Community members and leaders stressed that their fight was for equal recognition and not in competition with other martial arts. They called for Silambam to be a permanent fixture in SUKMA, rather than a “seasonal trend” or “temporary slot.”

In response to the growing public outcry, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh urged the public not to “racialise” the issue, explaining that host states are granted the autonomy to select the sports for the games. She also revealed that the ministry is exploring a new model for SUKMA, which may include a permanent host like Putrajaya or the National Sports Council, to ensure greater consistency and a clearer pathway for athlete development.

In a significant turn of events, the Selangor State Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman, Mohd Najwan Halimi, announced that the state has agreed to propose the re-inclusion of Silambam, along with petanque and muaythai. This proposal is set to be submitted to the SUKMA Supreme Council for a final decision, which is expected by August 15.

YB Papparaidu Veraman, the Selangor State Executive Council Member for Human Resources, Poverty Eradication, Indigenous and Minority Affairs & Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism, has also highlighted this positive update in a video statement.

This development offers a glimmer of hope for the Silambam community, affirming that their plea to preserve a piece of Malaysia’s cultural soul was heard and has the potential to be acted upon.