KUCHING: Women's sepak takraw could be excluded from next month's Sarawak Malaysia Games (Sukma) as only five states have registered for the event.
All Malaysia Games events must have a minimum of six teams.
Only Penang, Perak, Selangor, Sabah and Sarawak had registered when the deadline closed on July 5.
Sarawak Sports Minister Abdul Karim Hamzah said the host will file an appeal to retain women's sepak takraw during the National Sports Council (NSC) meeting on Friday.
Karim said NSC should not be so rigid with its rules.
"For example, in the Sea Games, an event just needs a minimum of four teams to be contested as a medal sport," he said on Tuesday.
Karim suggested that NSC should consider the time and money invested by state sports associations and athletes in preparing for events, only to be dropped later.
"This would be frustrating to the athletes," he said.
However, Karim said whatever decision by NSC, he would accept it.
If women's sepak takraw remains in the programme, the Sarawak Malaysia Games will see 488 events from 37 sports.
Karim said 7,801 athletes from all the states, the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan and Brunei would be competing for medals at the Games.
Sarawak will be sending over 700 athletes.
Karim disclosed that the Youth and Sports Ministry has allocated RM50 million to the Sarawak government to host the Malaysia Games and Para Malaysia Games.
The Malaysia Games start with the opening ceremony on Aug 17.