about Sukma?

> Introduced in 1986, the Malaysian Games (Sukma) is the biggest biennial multi-sport event for young talents in the country. It aims to encourage participation in sports, unearth new talents and promote national integration, among other things.

> Every state takes a turn to stage Sukma. Kuala Lumpur was the first host. Perak will come full circle when it hosts the 19th edition f from Sept 12-22. It hoste ed previously in 1994. TheT only other tw wo-time hosts ar re Sarawa k (1990 and 2016) and Pahang g (1996 and 2012).

> Nineteen compu ulsory and five optional sportss are contested in Sukma. The 19 co ore sports are athletic cs, aquatics (swimmi ng and diving), badminton, cyclin g, football, gymnast tics (artistic and rhythmic), hockey y, karate, lawn bowls,bowls archeryarchery, wushu, squash, taek kwondo, bowling, weightlift ting, shoo oting, sa ailing, silat an nd sepak ta akraw.

> The Malaysian University Sports Council (Masum), Malaysian Sports Schools Council (MSSM), Armed Forces and Police were among the non-state participants at first. But they are no longer part of the Games.

> Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan have joined forces to compete as Federal Territories since the 2006 Games in Kedah. Brunei is the sole contingent outside Malaysia, although the Northern Territory of Australia did make a rare appearance at Sabah in 2002.

> Selangor is the most successful contingent, emerging overall champions nine times. It currently tops the all-time medal tally with 753 golds, 719 silvers and 820 bronze, followed by three-time winners Sarawak (668-612-645) and Perak (406-417-560).