KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 — The decline in the number of national records set at the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Selangor compared with the Sarawak edition two years ago is not something to be concerned about, said Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Mordi Bimol.

He said although records were important in measuring athletes’ achievements, Sukma’s primary role was to provide a platform and opportunities for new athletes to showcase their talents before progressing to a higher level.

“Although there are fewer (records), for me, Sukma is a platform for us to unearth new talents to progress to the next level.

“So, although records are important, what is most important is providing the space and opportunities for new athletes to showcase their talents. That is the most important thing,” he told Bernama after attending the Merdeka Fun Hike: Aku Kasih Malaysia programme organised by the Malaysian Association for the Prevention of Drugs (Pemadam) at Taman Tugu here today.

Mordi said the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) continued to monitor the development of athletes’ performance and would take appropriate measures to improve the standard and quality of the country’s athletes.

“There is no concern, but we are monitoring the situation. We are paying attention to this matter and will take the necessary measures to improve the standard and quality of our athletes,” he said.

Selangor Sukma 2026 saw two national records broken, fewer than the seven national records set at the 2024 edition in Sarawak.

Among the records broken was by Selangor swimmer Eliza Tan Ai Shen, who set a new national record in the women’s 100-metre freestyle with a time of 56.78 seconds.

She erased the national record of 57.11s held by Nadia Lim, which was set at the Asian Age Group Aquatics Championships in Bangkok last July.

Meanwhile, the Terengganu women’s track cycling quartet comprising Dahlia Hazwani Hasyim, Ameera Alya Md Zahirrudin and twins Nur Aierin Wadhiah and Nur Aieris Madhiah Mohd Adni clocked 4 minutes 42.878 seconds (4:42.878s) in the 4,000-metre (16-lap) race.

The time erased the previous national record of 4:47.317s, while Johor finished second in 4:47.522s to take silver and Kedah claimed bronze. — Bernama