(Kuching, 10th) Responding to the removal of artistic swimming from the Selangor 2026 SUKMA Games due to an insufficient number of participating states, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim, Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development of Sarawak, has called for a more balanced approach to sports development nationwide to ensure that all states develop a variety of sports rather than certain sports being concentrated only in specific states.
He said he was informed that because the minimum requirement for the number of participating states was not met, the artistic swimming event could not proceed.
"I was also told that synchronized swimming was canceled because there were not enough participants. Each SUKMA event requires at least six states to participate—if I remember correctly. If only three states sign up, the event will be canceled."
He said this during a media interview after attending the closing ceremony of the 61st Milo/PRAM Malaysia Invitational Age Group Diving Championships 2026 held at the Pandelela Aquatic Centre today.
Abdul Karim pointed out that this issue has persisted for a long time, reflecting the imbalanced development of certain sports in the country, with some events only actively trained in a few states.
"Over the years, some sports have not been continuously promoted, but only occasionally. For example, the water polo event disappeared for quite a long period in the past.
"Synchronized swimming may only be trained in two or three states, so it has never truly reached the national level," he said.
He emphasized that the key issue lies in how sports projects are distributed and developed among the states nationwide.
"At the national level, we must look for ways to ensure that each state develops at least certain sporting events. It can't be just one state training, otherwise there will be no competition," he said.
On another note, Abdul Karim also expressed concern over the sharp reduction in the number of volunteers for the upcoming SUKMA Games to be hosted by Selangor.
According to reports, the number of volunteers has been reduced from the original 30,000 to 5,000.
He said that volunteers play an important role in ensuring the smooth running of major events such as the SUKMA and SEA Games.
"If the number is cut too much, will it affect the operations of certain venues or events? Still, we are giving the host state, Selangor, space. I believe they must have a way to ensure that the reduction in volunteer numbers will not affect the running of the games," he said.
He said he was informed that because the minimum requirement for the number of participating states was not met, the artistic swimming event could not proceed.
"I was also told that synchronized swimming was canceled because there were not enough participants. Each SUKMA event requires at least six states to participate—if I remember correctly. If only three states sign up, the event will be canceled."
He said this during a media interview after attending the closing ceremony of the 61st Milo/PRAM Malaysia Invitational Age Group Diving Championships 2026 held at the Pandelela Aquatic Centre today.
"Over the years, some sports have not been continuously promoted, but only occasionally. For example, the water polo event disappeared for quite a long period in the past.
"Synchronized swimming may only be trained in two or three states, so it has never truly reached the national level," he said.
He emphasized that the key issue lies in how sports projects are distributed and developed among the states nationwide.
"At the national level, we must look for ways to ensure that each state develops at least certain sporting events. It can't be just one state training, otherwise there will be no competition," he said.
On another note, Abdul Karim also expressed concern over the sharp reduction in the number of volunteers for the upcoming SUKMA Games to be hosted by Selangor.
According to reports, the number of volunteers has been reduced from the original 30,000 to 5,000.
He said that volunteers play an important role in ensuring the smooth running of major events such as the SUKMA and SEA Games.
"If the number is cut too much, will it affect the operations of certain venues or events? Still, we are giving the host state, Selangor, space. I believe they must have a way to ensure that the reduction in volunteer numbers will not affect the running of the games," he said.