KUCHING: Muttiah Pillai Sinnathambi, president of the Sarawak Kabaddi Association, has called for the inclusion of kabaddi in the 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA).
Speaking to Sarawak Tribune over the phone today, Muttiah highlighted the importance of Kabaddi’s inclusion in SUKMA 2026, as previously indicated by the Youth and Sports Ministry, which had assured that kabaddi would be featured in both the 2024 and 2026 editions of the games.
However, Muttiah, who is also the deputy president of the Kabaddi Association of Malaysia, expressed concern that the hosts for SUKMA 2026 have yet to confirm the sport’s inclusion.
“We are preparing for SUKMA, and it is crucial for kabaddi to be included.
“We urge the SUKMA 2026 organisers to ensure kabaddi is added to the list of events,” he said.
He also highlighted the sport’s growing popularity and the increasing number of participants, which underscore its significance in the national sporting landscape.
“Currently, the hosts have not listed kabaddi, but I believe the SUKMA Executive Council will address this matter.
“We are hopeful as we have more than six participating (states), including Terengganu, taking part in (previous) SUKMA, and Selangor, as the first runner-up, is also performing well.
“We hope they will advocate for kabaddi’s inclusion in SUKMA 2026,” he added.
As the sports community eagerly awaits a decision, he noted that kabaddi enthusiasts across the country are hopeful that the SUKMA 2026 organisers will take the necessary steps to include the sport in the upcoming games.
“I am very grateful to the Majlis Sukan Negeri Sarawak for always supporting and encouraging us in the recent SUKMA.
“I would like to thank the Sarawak government and the SUKMA Council for including kabaddi, and we hope this continues in 2026 in Selangor,” Muttiah said.
He further mentioned that the Sarawak team will continue its preparations, with plans to hold a youth tournament soon with aims to identify more talented athletes from across the state to represent Sarawak in the upcoming SUKMA, offering them an opportunity to compete.
Recently, Kabaddi Association of Malaysia (KAM) president Padmanathan Engaittraman in an online news portal also urged the relevant authorities to ensure kabaddi’s inclusion in SUKMA.
He noted that the sport is part of major events like the Asian Games and SEA Games, and that SUKMA serves as an excellent platform for its development.
