Sabah misses silat target, weighs foreign coach

What happened

Sabah's pencak silat campaign at the 2026 Sukma Games ended Wednesday at Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten) in Kajang. The team collected two gold, two silver, and three bronze medals.

The final day yielded one gold and two bronze. Sabah Silat Association (Pesaka Sabah) president Datuk Alijus Sipil confirmed the team fell short of its stated medal target.

Why it matters

Missing the target exposes a gap between expectations and performance in a sport where Sabah has traditionally been strong. The shortfall may influence funding and athlete development priorities for the state's silat programme.

Impact on Malaysia

Sabah's result fits into the broader national Sukma Games picture, where state contingents measure their sporting progress. Hiring a foreign coach would signal a shift in how Sabah approaches technical preparation in silat.

Official response

Datuk Alijus Sipil said the association is considering a foreign coach to improve results. No candidate or timeline was announced.

Key Takeaways

• Sabah won two gold, two silver, three bronze in pencak silat.
• The team missed its pre-Games medal target.
• Pesaka Sabah is weighing a foreign coach appointment.

Stats

• 2 gold medals
• 2 silver medals
• 3 bronze medals