The UTAR Basketball team made waves at the prestigious ESP Varsity Basketball League 2025, demonstrating exceptional skill and sportsmanship throughout the tournament held from 19 April to 14 June 2025 at the state-of-the-art ESP Basketball Arena in Petaling Jaya. This high-profile competition, organised by ESP Academy in collaboration with Taylor’s University and Majlis Sukan IPTS Malaysia (MASISWA), brought together 20 elite teams (12 men’s and eight women’s) from top universities across the nation, making it one of the most anticipated collegiate basketball events of the year.
Department of Student Affairs (Sungai Long Campus) Assistant Manager Encik Mohd Alfiha bin Mat Tarihan represented the UTAR men’s team in receiving the plaque
UTAR proudly fielded competitive teams in both divisions, with its athletes showcasing the University’s commitment to sporting excellence. The men’s team’s journey to securing the 3rd Runner-Up position in the fiercely contested Development Division was particularly inspiring. Their path to the podium featured several nail-biting matches that highlighted both individual brilliance and cohesive team play. Meanwhile, the women’s team, though not placing in the top three, earned widespread respect for their tenacity and team spirit, proving themselves formidable opponents in every game.
UTAR men’s team
UTAR women’s team
The tournament served as an invaluable developmental platform for the student-athletes. Beyond the court, players forged meaningful connections with peers from other institutions, exchanging techniques and strategies that will undoubtedly contribute to their future growth. The experience gained through competing against Malaysia’s top collegiate players has significantly enhanced UTAR teams’ competitive edge and tactical understanding of the game.
This outstanding performance reflects the comprehensive training programme implemented by UTAR’s coaching staff, which focuses on both physical conditioning and mental resilience. The teams’ success was also supported by the strong backing from the Department of Student Affairs and the university administration, who have consistently prioritised student-athlete development.
The ESP Varsity Basketball League 2025 marked a significant milestone for UTAR’s basketball programme, establishing new standards of excellence for the teams. The invaluable experience gained from competing at this high level, coupled with the strategic insights acquired, has laid a solid foundation for future competitions. Currently, the UTAR players are channelling this momentum into their training sessions, approaching each practice with heightened focus and determination. The lessons learned from both victories and setbacks have helped shape clearer goals, fuelling their ambition to surpass these achievements in upcoming tournaments.
Congratulation to all players, coaches, and support staff for this outstanding accomplishment.
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