Sukma organisers say venues will be completed on schedule

KUALA LUMPUR: The organising committee of the 15th edition of Sukma (Malaysia Games), to be held in Pahang from July 7-16, are on track to complete the venues on time.

Chief executive officer of the organising secretariat Ahmad Hairi Hussain said 65% of the venues should be fully completed by early May.

“The venues will be completed on schedule and there are no problems of meeting the May deadline,” he said.

“We have made sure that athletes will stay no further than 20 minutes from competition venues in a bid to ensure the smooth running of the Sukma.”

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek was given an update of Pahang’s preparation to host the Games when he chaired a meeting of the Sukma high committee yesterday.

Shabery said they would hold another meeting and visit the venues a month before the Games to ensure facilities are complete and in working order.

“About 5,000 to 6,000 athletes will converge on Pahang for the Games and I have been briefed that the host will be ready ahead of time,” he said.

“We’ve also received good news that Perlis, who will host the 17th Sukma in 2014, have already begun their preparations.”

Sukma was initially slated to be held from May 31-June 9 but the dates were changed because it coincided with the Euro 2012 and the unavailability of higher learning institutions as hostels for athletes during that period.

A total of Rm238mil will be spent on organising the Games, with Rm159mil allocated for building new venues.