The organizers of the 2026 SUKMA Games have officially announced that rhythmic swimming will no longer be part of the competition lineup. This decision was made after a final review showed that the number of participating states failed to meet the minimum entry requirements. Despite efforts to encourage more regions to field athletes, only a handful of states were able to commit to the discipline for this edition of the games.

The removal of the sport has sparked concern among Malaysia's gymnastics and aquatics communities, as SUKMA is considered a vital platform for scouting young talent. Coaches and state sports councils have expressed disappointment, noting that the absence of the event could stall the development of athletes who have been training specifically for this milestone. Officials explained that the move was necessary to maintain the competitive integrity and standard of the games, as low entry numbers lead to reduced competition levels.

While rhythmic swimming is out for 2026, the National Sports Council (NSC) has indicated that they will work with state associations to rebuild the sport's grassroots foundation. The goal is to ensure that participation numbers recover in time for the following edition of the games. In the meantime, affected athletes are being encouraged to look toward other national level age group championships to continue their competitive progress and stay on the national radar.