The 2024 Sukma Games (), officially known as the XXI Sukma Games () and also known as Sarawak 2024 was a multi-sport event held in Sarawak. Johor was supposed to host the 20th edition of the Games in July 2020, postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the 20th edition took over by the National Sports Council (NSC) in September 2022. This was Sarawak's third time to host the Sukma Games, having previously done so in 1990, and 2016.
Host selection During a meeting of Sukma's highest committee, which was chaired by then-Ministry of Youth and Sports, Khairy Jamaluddin on 15 May 2015, the committee awarded Perak and Johor the right to host 2018 Sukma Games and 2020 Sukma Games respectively, but the latter was postponed to 2022 and held in Kuala Lumpur instead by the National Sports Council due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2023, Sarawak were chosen as the host of Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) 2024 after full agreement by Malaysia Games (Sukma) Supreme Committee to organize the biennial sports event. The committee, which is chaired by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Hannah Yeoh, said the selection of Sarawak for next year's Sukma was also based on the new rotation system between National Sports Council and the States.
Development and preparations
Venues In 2023, the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, agreed to fully allocate the funds for Sarawak to host Sukan Malaysia 2024. Later in November 2023, the Premier announced an allocation of RM119.35 million for the hosting of the games.
On 18 January 2024, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah announced that Sukma 2024 events to be held in nine Sarawak divisions (5 more compared to the last time the state host this event).
Division Competition Venue SportsKuchingSarawak Sports ComplexSarawak StadiumAthletics, Opening ceremonyPandelela Rinong Aquatic CentreAquatics (swimming & diving)Sarawak Shooting RangeShootingPetra Jaya Archery RangeArchery Sarawak Squash CentreSquashSarawak Lawn Bowls Arena Lawn bowlsWushu Centre WushuPetra Jaya Hockey StadiumField hockeySarawak State StadiumFootball (women's)Petra Jaya Unity StadiumTaekwondo, Closing ceremonyCricket and Rugby GroundCricket OthersBorneo Convention Centre KuchingGymnastics Sarawak Hockey StadiumField hockeyBukit Siol, Petra JayaCycling (MTB & BMX)Pehin Sri Adenan Satem Highway (FAC Highway) Cycling (individual time trial, criterium & road)Sarawak Golf ClubGolfSwinburne University of Technology Sarawak CampusEsportsSarawak Petanque CentrePetanqueMegalanes, Emart Batu Kawa BowlingSarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA)TennisKuching South City Council (MBKS) StadiumBasketballHikmah Exchange Event CentreSilambamSJK Chung Hua No. 3Table tennisLundu Community HallKabaddiUnion YES Retreat & Training Centre @ SiarBeach volleyballSamarahanJubli Hall, UiTM SamarahanChessKota Samarahan Indoor StadiumFutsalSerianSerian Conference CentreGymanstics (artistic)Sri AmanSimanggang Indoor StadiumBoxingBetongPanglima Rentap HallWeightlifting SibuSibu Indoor StadiumBadmintonSibu Volleyball Indoor StadiumVolleyballStadium Tun ZaidiFootball (men's)Azman Hashim Community Sports CentreFootball (men's)MukahMukah StadiumFootball (men's)Dalat and Mukah District Council (MDDM) FieldFootball (men's)Sri Balau Hall, UiTM MukahJudoMukah PolytechnicNetballBintuluBintulu StadiumFootball (men's)Naim Bintulu ParagonMuay thaiMuhibbah StadiumSepak takrawMiriMarina BaySailingMiri StadiumRugbyNational Youth Skills Institute (IKBN)Karate & softball (men's)Eastwood Valley and Country ClubFencingSK MerbauSoftball (women's)Miri Indoor StadiumPencak silat
Athletes' villages Division AccommodationsKuching Aminuddin Baki Institute Kuching Citadines Uplands Kuching Construction Industry Development Board Kuching Dormani Hotel Kuching Imperial Hotel Kuching Youth and Sports Complex Kuching Kingwood Hotel Kuching Kuching Park Hotel Merdeka Palace Kuching Penview Hotel Kuching Roxy Hotel Kuching SALCRA Bajo Training Centre, Lundu Sarawak Centre of Technical Excellence (Centex), Kuching Sarawak Centre of Technical Excellence (Centex), Lundu Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus UCSI Hotel Kuching Union YES Retreat LunduSamarahan INTAN Sarawak Regional Campus, Kota Samarahan Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan Universiti Teknologi MARA Samarahan Campus, Kota SamarahanSerian Roxy Hotel SerianSri Aman BME Hotel Sri Aman Roxy Hotel Sri Aman Seri Simanggang HotelBetong MARA Junior Science College Betong Medan Hotel BetongSibu Desa Sanyan, Kolej Laila Taib, Sibu Kingwood Hotel SibuMukah Kingwood Hotel, Mukah Universiti Teknologi MARA Mukah Campus, MukahBintulu Fairfield by Marriott Bintulu Paragon Parkcity Everly Hotel, Bintulu Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus, BintuluMiri Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club MiriA Big Thank You to Sukma 2024! Institute of Teacher Education Miri Mega Hotel Miri National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN), Miri
Baton relay A relay of baton (which resembles a torch) was held statewide, beginning in Lawas on 27 April 2024 and conclude in Kuching on 23 June 2024.
No. City, Division Date Ref 1 Lawas, Limbang 27 April 2 Miri, Miri 28 April 3 Bintulu, Bintulu 11 May 4 Mukah, Mukah 12 May 5 Sibu, Sibu 18 May 6 Kapit, Kapit 19 May 7 Sarikei, Sarikei 8 June 8 Betong, Betong 9 June 9 Simanggang, Sri Aman 15 June 10 Serian, Serian 16 June 11 Kota Samarahan, Samarahan 22 June 12 Kuching, Kuching 23 June
Marketing The official logo, mascots and song are chosen through a competition organised by the Ministry of Youth, Sports And Entrepreneur Development Sarawak and was unveiled during the launching ceremony at Pullman Hotel, Kuching on 9 March 2024.
Logo The official logo of the 2024 Sukma Games, resembling a "burning torch", is designed by Azrilalfatt Hassim. A slightly different version was used for the Para Sukma Games.
Mascot
A revised version of the pair of Rhinoceros hornbill named "Satria" and "Satrina", with a fiercer and more realistic look than the 2016 version, was adopted as the official mascot of the 2024 Sukma Games. The mascots were designed by a freelance designer, Ikhbar Ruzaini Abang@Ebai who incorporates complex colouring, while staying true to the colours of the Sarawak flag — red, yellow, and black. The designer crafted a total of 47 different icons for the mascots, depicting them in various sports actions, with 37 icons representing different sports and 10 icons dedicated to Para Sukma events.
Medal design The 2024 SUKMA Games medals featured a prominent central torch symbolising the Games itself, set against traditional Iban ethnic motifs background to honour Sarawak as the host state on the obverse side. The date of the event as well as the Games logo and motto are also carved on the periphery of the medal. The reverse side featured the image of the mascots and the Games logo and the name of the event the winning athlete receive the medal.
Official song The official song of the games is entitled "Sukma Sarawak, Kesukanan dan Perpaduan" () and is composed by Kaderi Awang Lihi. Another version of this song is also composed for Para Sukma Games.
Official mobile app On 9 August 2024, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah launched the official Sukma Sarawak 2024 mobile app, a first for Sukma games. The app contains detailed information about the Games, including event schedules, athlete profiles, results and the medal tally. A separate app was also created for Para Sukma Games as well.
Corporate sponsorship Sponsors of the 2024 SUKMA and Para SUKMA GamesPartners
Malaysia Airlines (airline partner) Grab (e-hailing partner) Keris Sakti (merchandise partner) Rapid Bus (transport partner) TVS (official broadcaster) Radio Televisyen Malaysia (official broadcaster)Platinum sponsors
CelcomDigi U Mobile MOMA MiloGold sponsors
Sarawak Energy Petroleum Sarawak Petronas Sarawak Information Systems Ta Ann Holdings F&N Beverages Marketing Cahya Mata SarawakSilver sponsors
Affin Group Bintulu Development Authority Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation & Subsidiaries Bintulu Port Holdings WTK Holdings MyUS Autotech Maxis Broadband Petra Energy Press Metal BintuluBronze sponsors
KTS Group of Companies Hock Seng Lee Lee Fah Mee Trading Shell Malaysia Ibraco Brooke Holding Sarawak Incorporated Borneo Development Corporation (Sarawak)
The Games Opening ceremony The opening ceremony was held at Sarawak Stadium on 17 August 2024. 15,000 admission tickets were distributed to the public for free by the Sarawak Implementation Monitoring Unit. The opening ceremony reflects a holistic sense of unity, under the concept of Matlamat Perpaduan Membara (lit. The Goal of Unity is Burning). A total of 1,800 participants, including members of various associations, students from public and private higher education institutions, and school students took part in the event, aside of performences from local Sarawakian stars like Hafiz Suip, Alena Murang, Bob Yusof, Roxy Ixzy, and Ramles Walter. It was broadcast live by Radio Televisyen Malaysia, TVS and the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS).
Closing ceremony
The closing ceremony was held at Unity Stadium (Stadium Perpaduan) on 24 August 2024.
Participating states Participating State Sports Councils (599) (384) (472) (461) (500) (603) (606) (770) (284) (713) (host) (1173) (704) (908) (711) (61)
Number of athletes by State Sports Council StateAthletes 1 1173 2 908 3 770 4 713 5 711 6 704 7 606 8 603 9 599 10 500 11 472 12 461 13 384 14 284 15 61
Sports 37 sports (with 44 disciplines) will be contested in these games.
Aquatics
Basketball (2) 3×3 basketball (2)
BMX racing (2) Mountain biking (5) Road (8)
Football (2) Futsal (1)
Artistic (14) Rhythmic (7)
Volleyball (2) Beach volleyball (2)
Calendar May differ from tentative schedule Subject to weather conditions and decision by technical officers.
Medal table 488 sets of medals offered. Two bronze medals awarded in Boxing (14), Judo (18), Karate (17), Muay Thai (14), Pencak Silat (28), Silambam (8), Taekwondo (24) and Wushu (8). Gold-medal tie in Artistic Gymnastics Men's Rings event (no silver medal awarded). Bronze-medal ties in Artistic Gymnastics Men's Horizontal Bars and Men's Vault and Silambam Mix Synchronised Bare Hand events.
Medals distributed by sport No.Sport Gold Silver Bronze Total Ref 1 Aquatics Diving 12 12 12 36 Swimming 41 41 41 123 2 Archery 14 14 14 42 3 Athletics 47 47 47 141 4 Badminton 6 6 6 18 5 Basketball Basketball 2 2 2 6 3x3 basketball 2 2 2 6 6 Bowling 11 11 11 33 7 Boxing 15 15 29 59 8 Chess 10 10 10 30 9 Cricket 3 3 3 9 10 Cycling BMX racing 2 2 2 6 Mountain biking 5 5 5 15 Road 8 8 8 24 11 Esports 7 7 7 21 12 Fencing 12 12 12 36 13 Field hockey 2 2 2 6 14 Football Football 2 2 2 6 Futsal 1 1 1 3 15 Golf 4 4 4 12 16 Gymnastics Artistic 15 13 14 42 Rhythmic 7 7 7 21 17 Judo 18 18 36 72 18 Kabaddi 2 2 2 6 19 Karate 17 17 34 68 20 Lawn bowls 9 9 9 27 21 Muay Thai 18 18 32 68 22 Netball 1 1 1 3 23 Pencak silat 28 28 56 112 24 Petanque 13 13 13 39 25 Rugby sevens 2 2 2 6 26 Sailing 14 14 14 42 27 Sepak takraw 8 8 8 24 28 Shooting 24 24 24 72 29 Silambam 14 14 23 51 30 Softball 2 2 2 6 31 Squash 6 6 6 18 32 Table tennis 6 6 6 18 33 Taekwondo 25 25 49 99 34 Tennis 6 6 6 18 35 Volleyball Volleyball 2 2 2 6 Beach volleyball 2 2 2 6 36 Weightlifting 16 16 16 48 37 Wushu 28 28 36 92
National and Meet Records
No.Sport National Record Meet Record Ref 1 Aquatics Swimming 3 20 2Archery 2 2 3Athletics 1 8 4Shooting 0 5 5Weightlifting 3 0
Broadcasting 20 of the 37 sports contested at the Games will be broadcast live by two official broadcasters - Radio Televisyen Malaysia, TVS, and one non-official broadcaster - Astro Arena.
Concerns and controversies
Before the Games
Political Disputes Over Hosting Rights