KUCHING: Kabaddi has officially joined the list of sports for the 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Selangor – a long-anticipated development welcomed by the Sarawak Kabaddi Association, that now has its sights set on reaching its first-ever final.
Sarawak Kabaddi Association President, Muttiah Pillai Sinnathambi, described the decision as a major boost to the sport’s development, especially after its inconsistent presence in past SUKMA editions.
“This is news we’ve been waiting for. A prestigious event like SUKMA will elevate the development of kabaddi in Sarawak and across Malaysia,” Muttiah told Sarawak Tribune today.
Kabaddi was last included as an official sport at SUKMA in 2013, before returning in 2022 as a demonstration event.
Sarawak made the most of that opportunity, securing two bronze medals – one each in the boys’ and girls’ categories.
At last year’s SUKMA, hosted in Sarawak, the boys’ team once again earned bronze, but narrowly missing out on a medal for the girls’ team due to a point-system tiebreaker with Kedah and Perak.
Despite the setbacks, Muttiah said the association remains committed to long-term development.
“We have been active since 2008, and our vision is clear – we want to build a strong pipeline of athletes, and SUKMA is the perfect platform,” he said.
Preparations are already underway, with player selections conducted in May and further assessments planned after the upcoming inter-school championships.
The association is also looking to intensify training through collaborations with international coaches, including a proposed engagement with Thailand’s national kabaddi head coach, Ravi Shetty.
“We are looking to bring him in again for an intensive programme to sharpen our techniques and strategies.
“If possible, we plan to organise exposure matches abroad, including a return to Thailand and, if sanctioned, training stints in India,” Muttiah added.
Sarawak’s kabaddi contingent hopes to break new ground in 2026 by advancing to its first-ever final.
“Our main rivals remain Selangor and Wilayah, and now with Kedah and Perak emerging strong too, competition is tight,” Muttiah added.
“But Sarawak is undeterred – we are determined to prove our relevance and claim our spot among the nation’s top three.”
Muttiah expressed gratitude to the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS), the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), and the Ministry of Youth and Sports for their continued support.
He also lauded national Youth and Sports Minister, Hannah Yeoh, who recently announced kabaddi’s official inclusion in SUKMA 2026, alongside e-sports, chess and cricket.
Earlier this year, when contacted by Sarawak Tribune, Muttiah had called for the inclusion of kabaddi in the 2026 Malaysia Games.
“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 at the time.
He also highlighted the sport’s growing popularity and the increasing number of participants, which underscore its significance in the national sporting landscape.
