2020 SUKMA, Para SUKMA cancelled, Johor to host games in 2022

PUTRAJAYA:The 2020 Malaysia Games (Sukma) and Para Sukma in Johor are finally cancelled due to the uncertainty over the COVID-19 outbreak which entered its third wave in the country.

Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican however said Johor would still be given the right to host the 2022 edition as the state is almost 99 per cent ready in terms of planning, management, technical and competition facilities.

Reezal said the decision was made after receiving the proposal from Johor Sukma Secretariat and the state government to cancel the two championships scheduled for March and April next year.

"Among the reasons for the decision is the difficulty in providing the health safety assurance for almost 30,000 people involved such as athletes, officers, volunteers, and management without taking into consideration sport spectators and fans.

"It has been postponed twice which resulted in rising cost of management and the uncertain date for Sukma and Para Sukma have further gave pressure to implementation of athlete preparations by the various state," he said in a media conference after chairing Sukma Supreme Committee meeting online.

Reezal Merican said the decision was also influenced by local and international sports calendar for 2021 which is too close to several important dates such as Ramadan from April 13 to May 13, 2020 European Football Championship (June 11 - July 11), Tokyo Olympic Games (July 23 - Aug 8), Tokyo Paralympic (Aug 24 - Sept 5) as well as Vietnam Sea Games at the end of the 2021.