KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 — A total of 132 athletes who competed at the 2026 Selangor Malaysia Games (Sukma) have been identified as potential candidates to be considered for preparations towards the 2027 SEA Games to be held in Malaysia.

Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, in a statement today, said based on an initial assessment throughout the Games, the athletes comprised 59 men and 73 women.

“These athletes will continue to be monitored and assessed based on their current performance, consistency, fitness, injury status, performance at national and international levels as well as the requirements of each event,” he said.

Looking ahead, Dr Mohammed Taufiq said the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), together with the National Sports Council (NSC) and all stakeholders, would continue to review efforts to strengthen the biennial sporting event.

He said the review would serve as a platform for athlete development, including talent development and identification, participation of young athletes, competition standards, coach development, the use of performance data and sports science, as well as pathways for athletes to national development programmes.

Dr Mohammed Taufiq said the efforts were important to ensure Sukma continued to be an effective platform for producing more high-performance athletes who would bring glory to the country on the international stage.

He said the Games had once again demonstrated that Malaysia has a large pool of sporting talent, with the responsibility of the ministry being to ensure that these talents continued to be developed through an effective system, adequate support and clear performance pathways.

He also congratulated the Terengganu track cycling team and Selangor swimmer Eliza Ai Shen Tan on their success in breaking national records at this year’s Sukma.

The Terengganu track cycling team, comprising Nur Aieris Madhiah, Dahlia Hazwani, Ameera Alya and Nur Aierin Wadhiah, set a new national record in the team pursuit with a time of 4 minutes 42.878 seconds (s).

Eliza, meanwhile, broke the national record in the women’s 100-metre freestyle twice, in the heats and final, clocking 56.78s to clinch the gold medal.

Meanwhile, Dr Mohammed Taufiq said the ministry also expressed its appreciation and congratulations to the Selangor state government, Selangor State Sports Council, national sports associations, state contingents and all parties involved in the successful organisation of Selangor Sukma 2026, which was held from August 15 to 24.

He also congratulated the host state on emerging overall champions with a haul of 101 gold, 73 silver and 71 bronze medals. — Bernama