BANGI: The Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) contingent can afford to smile from ear to ear after they managed to become overall champions of the 2018 Institutions of Higher Learning Games (SUKIPT), dethroning former champions Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
On the last and final day of the Games today, UPM finished with 44 gold, 41 silver and 33 bronze medals to take the overall title while previous overall champions UiTM finished second with 42 gold, 37 silver and 35 bronze medals.
For UPM contingent officer Dr. Hanafiah Ayub, the success did not happen overnight, but thanks to their determined, concerted efforts which began almost a year ago.
“Actually we predicted this from early on,” Hanafiah said to members of the media. “We had already predicted as such based on statistics and figures of what has happened throughout the duration of the Games.
“You see where preparations were concerned this time round, we began preparing early on from a year ago as short term preparations and planning will not do for such Games.
“So once we had come up with a detailed plan and how we were going to prepare, we already knew which sports needed focus and emphasis and it bore fruit.”
Third place went to Politeknik Malaysia who amassed 27 gold, 17 silver and 27 bronze medals.
