Selangor declares Sept 1 special holiday after Sukma 2026 success

SHAH ALAM - The Selangor government has declared Sept 1 a special holiday in conjunction with the state’s success in hosting the 22nd Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2026.

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari made the announcement during the Sukma 2026 closing ceremony here, saying the holiday was also a gesture of appreciation to the athletes and more than 10,000 volunteers who contributed to the success of the Games.

“On the back of the outstanding performance in Sukma 2026 and as a token of appreciation to every athlete and the 10,000 volunteers who helped throughout the Games, I am pleased to announce that the Selangor state government has declared a special holiday in conjunction with the success of Sukma 2026 on Sept 1, 2026, which falls on Tuesday,” he said in his speech.

The announcement comes after nearly two weeks of competition involving more than 12,000 athletes from across the country competing in 468 sporting events.

Amirudin congratulated all athletes who competed in the Games, describing Sukma 2026 as a reflection of Malaysia’s identity as a sporting nation and Selangor as a sporting state.

He said sport was not merely about winning medals but also served as a platform for nation-building, testing individual abilities, strengthening teamwork and bringing Malaysians together across racial and religious backgrounds.

“Sport is a platform for nation-building, a field that tests and challenges individual capabilities, teamwork and the determination of every athlete to compete and uphold the name and flag of their state,” he said.

Amirudin also reminded athletes that victory and defeat at Sukma should not determine their future in sport.

He said those who failed to win medals should not regard the Games as the end of their sporting journey, while those who achieved success should continue working to improve their performance.

“Defeat is not the end,” he said, adding that Sukma provides an important platform for producing athletes who can represent Malaysia at international competitions including the Olympics, SEA Games, Asian Games and Paralympics.

Meanwhile, Amirudin praised the performance of Selangor’s contingent, known as the Merah Kuning team, which secured 101 gold medals, 73 silver medals and 71 bronze medals across the 468 events contested.

“As the Selangor Menteri Besar, I am happy with this outstanding performance,” he said.

Amirudin also thanked all participating contingents for placing their trust in Selangor as the host of Sukma 2026 and said the Games had provided an opportunity for young athletes to exchange experiences and build friendships beyond race and religion.

He said Sukma should be viewed as more than a sporting event, describing it as an agenda for nation-building and developing a confident society.

The 2026 Games marked 40 years since the inaugural Sukma was held at Stadium Merdeka in 1986.

Amirudin noted that the concept for Sukma was conceived in 1983 by then Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is now the Prime Minister.

The Sukma torch will next be handed to Kelantan, which will host the 23rd edition of the Games in 2028.

Amirudin also congratulated the coaches and heads of contingents for their efforts in developing existing talent and identifying new athletes.

“Continue your struggle. Strengthen your efforts to achieve your dreams. After representing your state, you now have the opportunity to represent the nation, Malaysia, which we love.

“You are the hope of the nation’s future,” he said.