IPOH, Perak have set a target of bringing 30 to 35 gold medals home from the 2024 Malaysian Games (Sukma) in Sarawak which will take place from August 17 to 24.

Perak Education, Higher Education, Youth and Sports Committee chairman Khairudin Abu Hanipah believes that if the target is achieved, they will be able to place the contingent in at least in the top five overall.

“Most importantly, we must improve our achievements or performance in Sukma Kuala Lumpur two years ago where we were in eighth place. In this edition, we want to be in the top five.

“To ensure that the target is achieved, all athletes have started training since last year including various activities organised to improve their performance,” he said when met at the Perak State Sports Excellence Incentive Presentation Ceremony and Sarawak Sukma 100 Day Countdown and Aidilfitri 2024 Celebration with Perak sportsmen at Galasa Caldwell here today.

At the same tournament held in Kuala Lumpur two years ago, Perak finished eighth out of 15 teams
with a collection of 27 gold, 28 silver and 46 bronze medals.

A total of 488 events will be contested at Sukma this time with 236 events involving men, 217 events for women and 35 mixed events.

Meanwhile, Khairudin said Perak will send 900 athletes to take on the state challenge involving 516 male athletes and 384 female athletes.

He added that Perak will not participate in all events, instead focusing on sports that are seen as capable of contributing medals or competing with other states.

“Among the ones we focus on are some martial arts events such as judo, athletic silat, kabbadi, silambam and so on. Not only are we among the big powers in this event but it also offers a large number of medals,” he said.

In the meantime, he said State Secretary Datuk Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim has been appointed as chef de mission (CDM) with State Finance Officer Datuk Mohd Zaki Mahyuddin as deputy CDM.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency