Bertam, 1 August 2026: Our Director, Ashok, joined state leaders, athletes and officials at Bertam Resort & Water Park on 1 August 2026 for the official handover of the Penang state flag to the contingent representing the state at Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) XXII and Para SUKMA 2026. It was a proud moment to witness first-hand the spirit and preparation behind Penang’s push for sporting excellence, and a reminder of how far discipline and teamwork can carry a community forward.
The ceremony marked the formal start of Penang’s journey to SUKMA XXII, with Chief Minister YAB Chow Kon Yeow handing the state flag to the contingent’s Chef de Mission before it was passed on to the athletes’ flag bearer.
In his address, Chow described the flag as more than a symbol of the state, calling it a trust that athletes carry into competition, and urged the contingent to compete with confidence, discipline and team spirit while respecting opponents and upholding the rules of fair play.
Raising the Stakes: Bigger Incentives for Gold
To spur the contingent on, the Penang state government announced an enhanced tiered incentive scheme for gold medallists. Athletes who help the state reach between 40 and 49 golds will earn RM6,000 per gold medal, rising to RM8,000 for a haul of 50 to 59 golds, and topping out at RM10,000 per gold should Penang cross its target of 60 or more golds.
Medal counts below that remain rewarded at the existing RM4,000 rate. Chow was clear, however, that the medal count is not the only measure of success; how the athletes conduct themselves, win or lose, matters just as much to the state.
886 Strong, Across 37 Sports
This year’s Penang contingent is one of its largest, with 886 athletes, coaches and officials preparing to compete across all 37 sports on the SUKMA programme. Exco for Youth, Sports and Health, Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, shared that accommodation planning for the athletes began early, with lodging deliberately arranged close to competition venues to cut down on travel fatigue during the Games.
He added that while this year’s SUKMA is being run on a leaner budget by host state Selangor, Penang has stepped in to top up allowances for accommodation, food and beverages to safeguard athletes’ welfare throughout the tournament.
Sport as a Foundation for Growth
Chow also connected the state’s sporting ambitions to its broader development goals, noting that a state’s progress is not measured by economic growth alone but by its ability to nurture disciplined, resilient talent, values he linked directly to the aspirations of Penang2030. He committed to continued investment in training facilities, grassroots talent development, and closer collaboration between the state sports council, sports associations, schools and the private sector.
Why It Matters to Us
As a Penang-based manufacturer, MM Century takes pride in being part of a state that invests in its people, on the factory floor and on the sporting field alike. We extend our best wishes to every athlete, coach and official in the Penang contingent as they head into SUKMA XXII and Para SUKMA 2026, running from 15 to 24 August 2026. Go Team Penang!
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