123 UMP athletes compete in 44th SUKUM

PEKAN, 12 September 2022 – “Winning or losing, it is part and parcel of a competition and it is the norm of life, but the fighting spirit should never go out; keep fighting to the last drop of sweat,” said the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, who was present at the event held at the Banquet Hall, UMP Pekan, to encourage the athletes at the UMP Flag-Handing Ceremony to participate in the sports tournament.

He handed over the UMP flag to the UMP Registrar/Chief Operating Officer cum the Contingent Chief Saiful Bahri Ahmad Bakarim as a symbol of UMP’s participation in the Intervarsity Staff Sports (SUKUM) held at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Selangor from 16 to 24 September 2022.

According to him, one must use common sense and strategy in sports or competitions.

“Winning in competition is based on excellent fitness, constant focus, organised emotions and a clear strategy.

“The strategy developed by a team demands scrutiny by coaches and team managers.

“I appreciate the effort and training of all the teams day or night to make UMP proud and I wish the success of the 123 athletes and officials who will compete at this prestigious tournament,” he said.

He also hoped that UMP could focus on some of the focused or by-design sports that can achieve success in SUKUM and at a higher level.

He said the university will always support in terms of needs and facilities for the advancement of this focused sport.

He added that the UMP Sports Centre is expected to consider appropriate sporting events.

Meanwhile, Saiful Bahri said, UMP joined a total of nine sports events: archery, table tennis, petanque, golf, futsal, volleyball, hockey, ten-pin bowling and cycling.

“UMP targets one gold, one silver and six bronze medals at this SUKUM.

“In preparation, UMP athletes have started training sessions since last August.

“I admit that after the COVID-19 pandemic, most teams did not get much exposure in tournaments,” he said.

However, he believed the preparation and training of all teams would make the athletes better prepared for this challenge.

The event was also attended by the Senior Manager of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor (PNC), Deputy Chief of the UMP Contingent at SUKUM, Abd Rahman Haji Safie and Director of Centre for Sports and Culture, Aznorizamin Ismail.

The athletes also recited a pledge led by Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Fakhrurrazi Ishak who is a UMP cycling athlete.

By: Nor Salwana Mohammad Idris, Corporate Communications Division, Chancellery Department

Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology