KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) is awaiting the official confirmation from the Johor state government as a co-organiser of the 2027 SEA Games for football. Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh described the southern state as the most suitable venue for organising football, with complete facilities of international standard.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hannah Yeoh highlighted Johor’s world-class football facilities as a point of national pride. She expressed interest in having Johor join KBS in hosting football for the 2027 SEA Games. She noted that a statement from the Johor Exco is pending, as they await the consent of the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, to host the sport.

On Wednesday, the Johor Youth and Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman, Mohd Hairi Mad Shah, announced Johor’s intention to host football and is awaiting the consent of Tunku Mahkota Ismail on the matter.

Meanwhile, Hannah Yeoh stated that KBS will hold a meeting with
states interested in being co-organisers of the prestigious sports games early next year. She mentioned that the ministry will establish a co-organising committee for the 2027 SEA Games to initiate Malaysia’s preparations.

“The meeting will be held early next year, we want to start early to ensure that preparations are thorough, because it involves several states,” she said. “We will discuss with states that are interested in being hosts, there will be a joint committee to organise the 2027 SEA Games to move together.”

In August, KBS announced that Malaysia had received an offer from the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) to host the 34th Games. This is the seventh time Malaysia has been chosen as the host, following the 1965, 1971, 1977, 1989, 2001, and 2017 editions. Kuala Lumpur and several states such as Sarawak and Penang will also be involved as venues for several events.