KUANTAN: As Malaysia prepares to host the 34th edition of the Sea Games in 2027, the Pahang government has expressed interest in joining to host the hockey event.
State Communications and Multimedia, Youth, Sports and Non-governmental Organisations Committee chairman Fadzli Mohamad Kamal said Pahang has the stadiums and infrastructure to host the sport.
"I am excited with the prospect of Pahang hosting the hockey event for the 2027 Sea Games. However, we have to see the actual requirements when selected as we are not sure how many fields will be needed for the event.
"I will soon present a proposal to the state executive council and refer the matter (to host Sea Games) to the Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail)," he told reporters after meeting the Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2024 lawn bowlers and rugby team players at Pahang Sports complex(Sukpa) here today.
Pahang has three hockey stadiums with two located at Wisma Belia and another at Sukpa in Indera Mahkota.
The stadiums had previously hosted international hockey matches including the Junior Asia Cup, Asian Champions Trophy and Men's Asia Cup.
To date, three states namely Sarawak, Penang and Sabah have expressed interest in joining as hosts of the biennial event.
National Sports Council (NSC) director general Abdul Rashid Yaakub was reported saying that they will wait till the end of this week to gather feedback from state governments regarding the hosting of the 2027 Sea Games.
He said the responses will be handed to the Youth and Sports Ministry to be presented at the Cabinet meeting.
Meanwhile, Fadzli confirmed that Pahang will be fielding a contingent of 560 athletes to achieve a 40-gold medal haul and top five finish at the 21st Sukma Games that will be held in Sarawak between Aug 17 and 24.