By Siti Noriam Yaakob, Sports and Recreation Centre, PHEP

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) successfully co-hosted the Malaysian Universities Sports Council (MASUM) Games 2025 from 15 – 20 September.

The MASUM Games serves as a platform for students to demonstrate their athletic skills. The competition is widely regarded as a key event in identifying new talent within higher education institutions to represent the nation in university sports at the ASEAN, Asian, and world levels.

The opening ceremony was held at UMT’s Sultan Mizan Hall and officiated by Higher Education Director General Datuk Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman.

A total of 10 core sports were featured. Beach volleyball, chess, pencak silat, and taekwondo were held at UMT, while volleyball, archery, petangue, and softball took place at UniSZA. Karate was held at MRSM Kuala Terengganu, and lawn bowls took place at the Gong Badak Sports Complex.

Students from 20 public universities across the nation participated in the sports carnival. Around 2342 student athletes and officials gathered for the six-day day event.

The carnival saw a thrilling distribution of medals, with a total of 98 gold, 98 silver, and 152 bronze medals contested and won by the successful athletes.

UMT Vice-Chancellor Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim said this was the second time UMT has hosted the MASUM Games after the first one in 2014.

“Despite having to wait for our turn with 20 other higher education institutions, UMT has proven that this national level sports event has been brilliantly organized and become a memorable event for all the athletes and officials involved,” Professor Zamri said.

He added the event was more than just a competition, it also served as a platform for students nationwide to build networks, friendship, and cooperation between universities. The organization of the carnival reinforced the spirit of unity and solidarity among the youth, aligning with the national aspiration to cultivate a disciplined, competitive, and visionary younger generation.

The seamless execution of the event was made possible by the hard work of numerous partners, including the National Sports Association, National Sports Council, media partners, the organizing committee, technical staff, and the volunteers, Professor Zamri said. They were the backbone of the carnival’s success, he added.

“The MASUM Games has officially concluded, leaving behind a legacy of high-level competition and stronger inter-university bonds in the Malaysian tertiary education landscape,” Professor Zamri said.