GEORGE TOWN: The decision by Penang to accept the offer to co-host the 2027 SEA Games is to support efforts for sports development.
State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said he also believed that it would help boost social and economic development, including the tourism sector.
Considering that the sports meet would involve the participation of Asean countries, he said it would attract tourists from the region to Penang.
"The Youth and Sports Ministry has received feedback from the states regarding the intention to organise the 2027 SEA Games and the Asean Para Games through a letter dated June 2, 2024.
"In the letter, the ministry also stated that the ‘whole-of-nation’ concept was taken to make the 2027 SEA Games and the Asean Para Games a success by involving all states.
"Therefore as an effort to support the development of sports, the Penang Government is keen to be the co-host,” he said when contacted by Bernama on Monday (July 8).
On Sunday (July 7), Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh was reported as saying that Penang is the latest state to express its interest to co-host the 2027 SEA Games.
She said that the National Sports Council was working hard to complete the Cabinet paper to be presented to the Cabinet before the 2024 Olympics from July 26 to Aug 11, adding that she was well aware of Sarawak’s readiness to co-host the 2027 SEA Games and its proposal to hold the opening ceremony in the state.
On May 22, 2022, the SEA Games Federation Council unanimously agreed to grant the right to host the 2027 SEA Games to Malaysia following the withdrawal of Brunei. - Bernama
