Terengganu: Terengganu stepped up efforts to reignite interest in heritage games through the organisation of the State-Level Traditional Games Competition today, attracting 384 participants from across the state.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the competition was organised by the Terengganu State Museum Board at the Muzium Permainan Rakyat, featuring various games including bola tin, bola beracun, sepak raga ratus, selambut, congkak, rampai tradisi, dam aji, and tug of war. Dungun District Museum Senior Assistant Director Noraini Shamsuddin noted that the programme aimed to expose younger generations to cultural heritage inherited from earlier communities while ensuring such activities remained relevant.

Noraini emphasized that traditional games are more than recreational activities as they also strengthen social ties, nurture teamwork, and instil cultural values and identity among the younger generation. She added that various programmes had been planned to further revitalise heritage games as part of long-term efforts to preserve Malay cultural traditions.

A participant, Nur Muhammad Anuar, 29, expressed his deep interest in cultural heritage and his desire to ensure the games continue to be recognised by the community. He believes the event could serve as a platform to introduce the uniqueness of local cultural heritage, especially to the younger generation, and hopes efforts to elevate traditional games will continue to be strengthened through community activities.

Muhammad Ammar Syahmi, 23, shared his excitement about witnessing several traditional games that are now rarely showcased to the public. He highlighted their unique characteristics that reflect the community's cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of preserving and passing them on to future generations.

Qistina Ayuni Zulkipli, 23, from Hulu Terengganu, observed that heritage activities appeared to be gradually becoming extinct due to limited early exposure among the younger generation. She pointed out the growing attraction of children to gadgets and virtual gaming applications, stressing that traditional games should continue to be preserved for their role in strengthening social relationships, nurturing teamwork, and instilling cultural values and identity.