SAM2024 SPARKS COMPETITIVE SPIRIT AT HEIs
UUM ONLINE: The Malaysia Asasi Games 2024 (Sukan Asasi Malaysia 2024) (SAM2024) highlights the enthusiasm of the Council of Deans/Directors of the Public Universities Foundation Centres in promoting competitive competitions at the university level.
The Chairman of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Board of Directors, Tan Sri Dr Mohd Shukor Mahfar said that the championship not only responded to the call made by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) but also offered a suitable platform to discover highly talented athletes from the higher education institutions (HEIs).
According to him, sports not only emphasise physical aspects and healthy competition, but also foster a spirit of camaraderie in building harmonious relationships and cooperation among participants.
“I fervently hope that the participants will value diversity and develop the ability to handle challenges with confidence and integrity.
“Resilience and perseverance are the key elements in achieving success in sports and daily life,” he said at the Closing Ceremony of the Seventh Edition of SAM2024 at UUM Sports Centre Stadium.
A total of 15 contingents participated in 11 sports events which were held from 2 to 3 March.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Council of Deans/Directors of Public University Foundation Centres, Assoc. Prof. Dr Laili Che Rose said that the Malaysian Foundation Sports Championship has been an annual competition organised under the auspices of the Council of Deans/Directors of the Public Universities Foundation Centres and Matriculation since 2018.
She said that the seventh edition of SAM2024 included participation from 13 public university foundation centres, representatives from Matriculation (Kedah Matriculation College) and for the first time, representatives from the TVET Foundation programme, namely the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Polytechnic.
“It is indeed very challenging to organise SAM championship due to the participation of nearly 1244 athletes and officials from various contingents.
“The SAM championship is aimed at developing students who are not only excellent in the academic aspects but also focus on enhancing the potential and talents of pre-university students in sports arena while promoting a healthy lifestyle,” she said.
At the event, the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) emerged as the overall champion with an impressive collection of 17 gold, six silver and five bronze medals, followed by Universiti Malaya with three gold, three silver, and four bronze medals and third place was won by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) with a collection of two gold, four silver, and four bronze medals.
UUM ranked seventh with a collection of one gold medal and two bronze medals.
The event was also enlivened by performances from artists – Akim Ahmad and Ara Johari who entertained all guests and participants of SAM 2024.
Present at the event were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Prof. Dr Ahmad Marthada Mohamed; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Dr Azizuddin Mohd Sani; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Dr Russayani Ismail; Director of UUM Centre of Foundation Studies in Management, Prof. Dr Muhammad Fuad Othman and officers of the Council of Deans/Directors of Public University Foundation Centres.