BANGI: The Higher Education Ministry has called on excellence in sports be continually developed and pursued as the 2018 Institutions of Higher Learning Games (SUKIPT) goes on as well as being a medium in showcasing and unearthing even more young and upcoming athletes with potential.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said that SUKIPT will be seen as a success if new faces emerge to represent the country at more prestigious sporting events such as the Sea Games, Asia Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games.
“The ministry hopes that SUKIPT will be able to give a wholesome impact for sports at institutions of higher learning in the country.
“SUKIPT must always be relevant as a platform that helps to provide athletes who can keep the national sporting excellence momentum going on the world stage,” said Idris during the SUKIPT officiating ceremony at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) stadium here earlier today.
At the same time Idris stressed that the potential and capabilities shown by institutions of higher learning athletes have brought pride to Malaysia throughout last year.
He said that during the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games in August last year, institutions of higher learning athletes contributed 53 gold, 41 silver and 42 bronze medals for a total of 136 medals or 42.1 per cent out of 323 medals won by the national contingent.
Athletes from institutions of higher learning also made history when they put on their best showing since taking part at the University Games when they managed to win 3 silver and four bronze medals at the Universiade in Taiwan.
“SUKIPT is also a Games that plays an important role in pushing the ministry’s efforts to produce model undergraduates who are holistic at institutions of higher learning all throughout the country,” he said.
Idris added that this edition of SUKIPT has shown that competition has become stiffer and more challenging which shows a higher level of competitiveness compared to previous editions of the Games.
Apart from the allowance of participation for international institutions of higher learning among Asean countries, SUKIPT also features 27 different types of sports, the most compared to previous editions.
For the record, SUKIPT is in its fourth edition this time round offering 236 gold medals with 6,000 athletes taking part. It also attracted the participation of 78 contingents, 2,500 officials, 850 volunteers, 100 media personnel, with 29 venues hosting various sporting events.
