By Iznee Isa
Photo Izwan Azman

BANGI, 12 July 2017 – About 4,000 athletes from 20 public universities gathered in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) to compete in the 2017  Majlis Sukan Universiti Malaysia (MASUM) Sports Carnival, recently.

Ministry of Higher Education Deputy Secretary General (Development), Datuk Nik Ali Mat Yunus said athletes should use MASUM as a platform to enhance their performances and build their confidence.

“The ministry will always support any sports activities and programmes that encourage students to be more competitive and committed to any area involved,” he said when delivering the opening speech of MASUM 2017 here.

Meanwhile, UKM Vice-Chancellor Prof Dato’ Seri Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali said as host, UKM will do its best to ensure this tournament is one of the best event ever held.

“The MASUM tournament and other competitions at IPT level are one of the ways we can contribute to the country’s sports development,” he explained.

He hopes that athletes will be committed and passionate in improving the quality of our national sports.

The on-going MASUM 2017 tournament includes 16 competitions involving participation from 20 public universities in Malaysia.

UKM targets to be in the top three ranking in MASUM 2017 from all the universities competing.

Also present at the ceremony were UKM Board of Directors, Tan Sri Datuk Dr Ibrahim Saad, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation, Prof Dr Mohd Ekhwan Toriman, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Student and Alumni Affairs, Prof Dato’ Noor Aziah Mohd Awal and the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Industry and Community Partnership, Prof Dato ‘Dr Imran Ho Abdullah.