2024 Sukma Games

The 2024 Sukma Games (Malay: Sukan Malaysia 2024), officially known as the 21st Sukma Games (Malay: Sukan Malaysia ke-21) 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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
The official song of the games is entitled "Sukma Sarawak, Kesukanan dan Perpaduan" (lit. 'Sukma Sarawak, Sportsmanship and Unity') and is composed by Kaderi Awang Lihi. Another version of this song is also composed for Para Sukma Games.
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.
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. It was broadcast live by Radio Televisyen Malaysia, TVS and the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS).
The closing ceremony was held at Unity Stadium on 24 August 2024.
37 sports (with 44 disciplines) will be contested in these games.
* Host nation (Sarawak)
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.