SULTAN OF KELANTAN URGES FOCUS ON ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT FOR SUKMA 2028

KOTA BHARU, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V has urged the Kelantan government to take a serious approach to enhancing infrastructure and development of athletes in the state in preparation for hosting the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in 2028.

His Royal Highness expressed hope that as hosts for the upcoming SUKMA, the state would be able to compete well with other states in Malaysia.

"I also suggest that sports be viewed as a new source of economic generation for this state through the organisation of recreational and sports tourism events," said Sultan Muhammad V during the investiture ceremony in conjunction with his 55th birthday celebration at Istana Balai Besar today.

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His Royal Highness also called for relevant departments and agencies in agriculture and agricultural infrastructure to ensure a consistent level of food self-sufficiency.

He stressed that cooperation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security was also needed to ensure the efforts were integrated.

Meanwhile, Sultan Muhammad V announced that the tourism sector in Kelantan contributed RM 2.6 billion to the state’s economy last year.

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"I hope that during the Visit Kelantan Year this year, the number of domestic visitors and tourists will surpass the record set in 2023, which was 4.09 million tourists and 7.55 million domestic visitors.

"Everyone is urged to continue improving tourism facilities and cleanliness in our state and to introduce more attractive tourism products to entice visitors," His Majesty decreed.

-- BERNAMA