Shapawi hints events reported to be dropped from Sukma XX may still be held

KUALA LUMPUR: Several events that were recently reported to be dropped from the Games in the final list of the 20th Malaysia Games (Sukma) are expected to be held after all, according to National Sports Council (MSN) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail.

He hinted that all the competing contingents had agreed not to withdraw themselves during the coordination meeting held with the State Sports Council directors today.

Ahmad Shapawi said the council had sought an explanation from state contingents over the constraints they faced which led to their withdrawals prior to the closing date for the final registration on Aug 10.

"On a positive note, I think we will be able to host Sukma this time without having to cancel any events from the final list, except for those we have announced before, such as the women's diving and women's 10,000 meters (m) walking events, which were dropped in the initial list itself.

"However, the official decision regarding the final list of the number of contested events can only be announced after it is presented to the Sukma Supreme Committee chairman, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu in the near future," he said when met after the meeting.

Recently, the media reported that several women's events including pole vault, hammer throw, discus throw, shot put and steeplechase would have to be dropped as they did not meet the minimum requirement for them to be organised.

Under Sukma's technical regulations, at least eight of the 14 states need to participate in an event for it to be held, however, it was reduced to six states this time as it is a special edition being held post the COVID-19 pandemic. The Games were last organised in 2018 in Perak.

-- BERNAMA