By DayakDaily Team
SELANGOR, Sept 6: Months of preparation for Para Malaysia Games (Sukma) competition were put on pause today as unhealthy air quality forced the postponement of four events in Selangor.
The affected events were para athletics at the UiTM Stadium, para swimming at the Selangor Aquatic Complex, para archery at the Selangor State Youth and Sports Complex (KOMBES) and lawn bowls at Bayuemas, Klang.
In a statement today, Deputy Chairman of the Organising Committee for SUKMA XXII and Para SUKMA Selangor 2026, Mohd Najwan Halimi said the decision was made after taking into account advice from the Department of Environment (DOE), Ministry of Health (MOH), and continuous monitoring by the special technical committee.
He said the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in Shah Alam and Klang stood at 169 as of noon today, placing the areas in the unhealthy category and posing health risks, particularly to athletes engaged in high-intensity physical activities.
“The API readings in Shah Alam and Klang as of 12 noon today showed an unhealthy level of 169, forcing the organisers to postpone para athletics at UiTM Stadium, para swimming at the Selangor Aquatic Complex, para archery at KOMBES and lawn bowls at Bayuemas, Klang,” he said.
The postponements do not affect the entire Para SUKMA competition, with only events affected by air quality at their respective venues being suspended.
The new dates and times for the postponed events will be announced from time to time, subject to API readings and prevailing conditions at the competition venues.
Several events had proceeded this morning as the Para SUKMA competition entered its early medal phase, including powerlifting, para badminton, boccia, table tennis and chess.
As state contingents began their push for medals, organisers prioritised athletes’ well-being by postponing events held at venues affected by unhealthy air quality. — DayakDaily
