Bintulu set to host Malaysia Special Olympics in April

BINTULU (Feb 11): A total of 125 gold medal will be up for grabs at the Special Olympics Malaysia 6th National Games 2026 to be held in Bintulu from April 24 to 26.

Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said 11 states have confirmed their participation in the three-day Games.

A total of 793 athletes and officials have registered to date with the numbers expected to rise before the closing date for athlete registration on Feb 22.

“Preparations are now in full swing, covering logistics, accommodation, transportation as well as arrangements for the opening and closing ceremonies,” Fatimah told a press conference after chairing the organising committee meeting at Parkcity Everly Hotel Bintulu on Tuesday.

The Games will feature eight sports. Every athlete will receive a medal in a move to recognise the courage and commitment of all participants.

“In previous Games, some participants only received ribbons. This time, we want to ensure that every athlete receives a medal as appreciation for their effort and courage to compete.

“The Special Olympics is not just about competition. It provides opportunities in sports, health programmes, leadership development and community engagement for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” the minister stressed.

In conjunction with the Games, health screening programmes will be conducted to monitor athletes’ wellbeing, including checks on blood pressure and other health indicators to ensure their safety throughout the competition.

During the press conference, Fatimah also officially launched the Games logo, poster and dedicated website for the Games.

She hoped that the Games would not only highlight the abilities of athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but also strengthen inclusivity and community support nationwide.

The latest updates are available at https://specialolympicssarawak.org.