Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is intensifying its preparations to host the 2027 SEA Games, marking the seventh time the country will host the event. The games will be organized across four main clusters in Sarawak, Penang, Johor, and Kuala Lumpur. According to BERNAMA News Agency, with less than 600 days until the 34th SEA Games commence on September 18, 2027, Youth and Sports Minister Dr. Mohammed Taufiq Johari confirmed that preparations are nearing 80 percent completion. The event, featuring 38 sports, is progressing well, with athletes advancing in their training while facilities and arrangements are about 70 to 80 percent ready. Dr. Mohammed Taufiq highlighted that discussions on the number of sports are about 90 percent finalized, with only a few appeals and assessments pending to determine the final list of sports to be hosted. Sarawak is set to be the main host cluster, accommodating the opening ceremony and 17 sports, including aquatics, weightlifting, and basketball. The Penang cluster is designated to host six sports, such as sepak takraw and snooker, while Johor will exclusively feature football. Kuala Lumpur will host the closing ceremony and 14 sports, including badminton, cycling, and volleyball. Moreover, Dr. Mohammed Taufiq noted that national athletes have completed the first phase of their preparations at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris in Perak. This phase involved training with the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Malaysian National Defence Academy to foster patriotism and motivate athletes to excel on home ground. The 2027 SEA Games are scheduled to take place from September 18 to 29.