KUALA LUMPUR: The National Sports Council (NSC) welcomes plans to host a decentralised Sea Games competition in Malaysia in 2027.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday said he agreed to have Sarawak co-host the 2027 Sea Games with the Klang Valley. He was speaking during the closing ceremony of the Sarawak Malaysia Games. The latter has been deemed a success.
NSC director general Abdul Rashid Yaakub disclosed that Penang and Sabah are also interested in hosting events for the 2027 Sea Games.
Rashid said Malaysia has hosted certain sports outside of the Klang Valley in the past, albeit on a smaller scale, during the 2001 Kuala Lumpur games which shows it is possible to pull off.
"The decision (to host 2027 Sea Games) has to be finalised by the cabinet which should happen some time this week if there are no issues," said Rashid today.
"If we do go ahead with the 2027 Sea Games, it is a good sign for our sports industry and we look forward to it. This is because hosting a big competition such as this can help boost our athletes' performances.
"This would not be the first time we will have Sea Games events outside (Klang Valley) as previously Langkawi, Penang and Johor Baru also played a part but it was not on a large scale so they were not named as co-hosts.
"This, however, shows that it is possible to do it. Other countries such as Thailand and Indonesia have already done it (decentralised) and it is time we prove that we can do the same in Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak and possibly Sabah and Penang (who have also shown interest).
"We already have most of the infrastructure needed to host international events, we just have to do some upgrading to certain facilities which should not cost too much."
Rashid added that the national contingent should aim to become overall champions if Malaysia does host the 2027 Sea Games here.
"As far as NSC is concerned, aiming for the overall champions title should be compulsory as we had won it before when we hosted it in 2001 and 2017," said Rashid.
Malaysia emerged the overall champions of the 2017 Kuala Lumpur games by a country mile after racking up 145 gold, 92 silver and 86 bronze which was more than double the gold won by second-placed Thailand (72-86-88).
The national contingent achieved a 111-75-85 haul to emerge overall champions in 2001, also beating Thailand (103-86-89) to the top spot.