Preparations are currently underway by the organisers of SUKMA XX Johor to ensure that all venues are ready before the start of the biennial games which is expected to be held in the first quarter of the year 2021.
Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican has conducted an official visit to SUKMA XX Johor venues – the Larkin Aquatic Centre, Larkin Arena Indoor Stadium, and the Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium, and is pleased to see the progresses made. When COVID-19 outbreak happened and Movement Control Order (MCO) took place since March, SUKMA XX Johor’s secretariat has nevertheless ensured that all preparations are meeting the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set in regards to the pandemic.
“Based on my observation, preparations for SUKMA XX Johor are 95 to 97% complete and pretty much in order. Almost all the venues are nearing completion. For example the Larkin Aquatic Centre is currently just lacking a warm-up pool which can be completed in less than a month,” he said.
Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor Sdn Bhd (KPRJ), a leading property and sports developer in Johor, was handed the task of refurbishing new and existing sporting facilities with the aim of upgrading them into venues of world class standard.
“As we are in the recovery stage of the MCO which will end on 31st August, we will have a meeting soon to determine further SOPs. However, the SOPs implemented during the RMCO will be used as a guideline for us when we organise the SUKMA XX next year,” Datuk Seri Reezal added.
Meanwhile, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Ir. Haji Hasni Mohamad had a working visit to the SUKMA venues too starting from Kompleks Sukan Johor, Taman Mount Austin, where he and his delegation proceeded to visit the Rugby stadium, the multipurpose sports stadium, the Johor Shooting Centre and finally the Velodrome in Iskandar Puteri, Johor. Datuk Hasni is highly satisfied with the progress and preparations made thus far by all parties and he is proud to announce that Johor is ready to host a world-class sporting event.
In SUKMA XX Johor venue’s progression report which was released on 16th June, almost 90% of the 39 selected venues are ready to be used for the upcoming Games.
A total of 32 sports, including 16 compulsory sports, 15 optional sports and one demonstration sport (silambam), will be contested at SUKMA XX Johor. The proposed new date for SUKMA XX will be March 2021 which will also depend on local conditions then.
