Melaka: The government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), has approved RM400,000 to upgrade the Gasing Pangkah Delima Court in Kampung Pengkalan Renggam, Kandang.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initiative aims to preserve the traditional sport and enhance infrastructure to develop heritage sports in the state, as stated by Ayer Molek assemblyman Datuk Rahmad Mariman. He announced that the allocation has been approved, and upgrading works are expected to commence after the 2026 Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam (DMDI) International Gasing Competition concludes.
Once the upgrades are complete, the Gasing Pangkah court will not only serve as a competition venue but also as a training and talent development centre for the younger generation. It will additionally host international championships. Rahmad expressed hopes that the court will become a proud heritage tourism landmark in the Ayer Molek constituency and Melaka in general. This statement was made at the closing ceremony of the 2026 DMDI International Gasing Competition, officiated by Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Rustam.
Rahmad also conveyed his full support for efforts to make the competition an annual event on the DMDI member countries' calendar and to include it as a major event in the Melaka tourism calendar. He proposed expanding the championship to incorporate other traditional games such as tug-of-war, sepak bulu ayam, congkak, and galah panjang to preserve and uphold Malay cultural heritage.
Meanwhile, competition chairman Datuk Abu Bakar Abdul reported that 20 teams participated in the 2026 DMDI International Gasing Competition, including two teams from Indonesia, one from Singapore, and teams from across the country. He mentioned that the response to this year's second edition was strong, with participation rising to 20 teams from 16 in last year's inaugural competition. Abu Bakar highlighted that the increased participation demonstrates growing interest in the heritage sport and is a positive sign for efforts to expand the Malaysian Gasing Pangkah heritage sport to other countries.