Perlis made notable strides at the recent Malaysia Games (Sukma), significantly improving its performance compared to the previous edition. The state concluded the Games with 17 gold medals, narrowly missing its target of 20 but surpassing the 12 golds it secured at the 2024 event in Kuching. This achievement propelled Perlis to 11th place overall, an improvement of two ranks from their last standing.

Deputy Chef de Mission Sairul Amar Ayob, a former national badminton player and coach, expressed satisfaction with the progress, highlighting that achieving 80% of their gold medal goal demonstrated meaningful advancement. Perlis sent a sizable contingent of 379 athletes to the Games, aiming to better their previous results.

Despite falling short in some favored sports, particularly taekwondo where they expected four golds but secured only two, the state found success in less anticipated areas. Victories in bowling and wushu contributed significantly to their medal tally, with bowlers Nurul Aisyah Salleh and Zureen Alyssa Qaisara as well as wushu athlete Lim Yuan Kang winning the first gold medals for Perlis in their respective disciplines at the Games.

Sairul credited the athletes’ determination and fighting spirit for the success, suggesting that these achievements could inspire further development in these sports within the state. He also acknowledged the efforts of Hairul Anuar Abu Bakar, head of the state's sports development unit, praising him as the key figure behind Perlis’s improved performance at the event.