By Nesamalar Kathirvellu
KUALA LUMPUR, 15 August 2025: Three new sports Silambam, Muaythai, and Petanque will now be included in the official sporting activities of the games at SUKMA Selangor 2026. This announcement was verified following the discussion of the state government’s proposal at the SUKMA Supreme Committee Meeting.
A collaborative procedure at the state and federal levels led to the official recognition of Silambam, a traditional Indian martial art. After a proposal was made and accepted, Muaythai, a martial art based in Thailand, was also confirmed to compete at SUKMA Selangor 2026. Additionally, petanque, a well-liked recreational ball throwing sport and a type of petanque that was included in earlier editions, is now officially recognised.
Hannah Yeoh, the Minister of Youth and Sports, and officials from other states attended a Special Meeting of the Sukma Supreme Committee, when the official decision was made. With the addition of these three sports, the total number of official SUKMA 2026 sports has now increased to 30 mandatory sports and 7 optional sports. The following Sukma game dates have been announced which will take place in nine districts across Selangor from August 15 to 24, 2026.
The Selangor State Government has demonstrated commitment by proposing to incorporate traditional and youth sports such as Silambam, Petanque and Muaythai to promote local communication engagement at the national level. The implementation process corresponds to Sukma regulations, with suggestions announced at least a year before the games. This is a set out to preserve both traditional heritage sports and modern sports.
The incorporation of this sport not only enhances the SUKMA format, but also recognises the diversity of cultures and sports. Mohd Najwan Halimi, Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneurship Exco, highlighted that sports are a field of unity, not politics, and urged all parties not to turn sports into an arena of division. This decision connects several vital elements, including traditional heritage (Silambam), modern martial arts (Muaythai), and competitive recreation (Petanque), giving SUKMA 2026 a new dimension as an inclusive, varied, and relevant platform for today’s generation.
SUKMA Selangor 2026 is anticipated to be the most varied version of the games in history.
With the assistance of the state government and thoughtful preparation by the Ministry, this year’s SUKMA reflects the spirit of togetherness through sports as well as a golden opportunity for athletes from varied ethnic origins and disciplines to flourish on the national stage.
