In a series of remarkable displays of sportsmanship and perseverance, a trio of UTAR students successfully clinched a gold medal, a silver medal, and a bronze medal for their home states at the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) XXI Sarawak 2024, organised from 17 to 24 August 2024 at several districts in Sarawak.

The three medallists, who competed in wushu, chess, and judo respectively, were UTAR Bachelor of Science (Honours) Software Engineering student Loi Xue Jing, Foundation in Arts student Yeoh Yuan Hui, and Bachelor of Science (Honours) Environmental, Occupational Safety and Health student Tan Tze Ning.

Representing Melaka in “Wushu Sanda – Male, below 60kg”, Loi secured a gold medal through discipline and dedication. He said, “I would like to thank UTAR for giving me a platform to study and an opportunity to compete in this year’s SUKMA. Besides that, I also want to give my sincere gratitude to UTAR for offering me a scholarship, as it helps reduce my financial stress.”

Representing Penang in “Chess – Standard Individual”, Yeoh was delighted to win a silver medal in his favourite board game. “I was very happy to learn that chess was added as an official sports category in this year’s SUKMA. To anyone who wishes to compete in the next SUKMA, keep in mind to never give up and fight till the end,” Yeoh enthused.

He also thanked UTAR Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS), Kampar Campus Deputy Director for Student Affairs and Development Mr Lim Khiew Loon and Department of Student Affairs (DSA), Kampar Campus Assistant Manager Ms Lau Mun Yee @ Wendy for giving their support to the participating chess team.

As a three-time medallist who also participated in the previous two SUKMAs, Tan successfully added a new bronze medal to his list of milestones after representing Penang in “Judo – Male, below 90kg” this year. “This is my third and last participation in SUKMA. While I am sad that I have not gotten a gold medal, I will not let it discourage me from coming back in a stronger and more determined state in future competitions,” Tan said.

He also gave his thanks to Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) Dean Ir Prof Dr Ng Choon Aun, FEGT Department of Environmental Engineering Head Assoc Prof Dr Zafarullah Nizamani, his academic advisor Dr Lim Fang Lee, and his coursemates for the support, allowing him to train while attending online lectures in the final months before SUKMA.

He added, “UTAR has also given me an invaluable opportunity to pursue both my tertiary education as well as my sports career through the UTAR Sports Scholarship. This further cemented my belief that UTAR is an educational institution that encourages its students not only to strive in academics but also in sports. I look forward to representing UTAR in other competitions in the near future.”

SUKMA XXI Sarawak 2024

The 21st SUKMA was a biennial national sports event jointly organised by the National Sports Council (MSN) of Malaysia, the Government of Sarawak, the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), and the National Sports Association at several districts of Sarawak, including Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu, and Miri.

With a total of 12,619 participants and the inclusion of 37 sports categories, SUKMA XXI Sarawak 2024 was the largest SUKMA festival ever organised since its inception in 1986.