USM PENANG, 29 April 2026 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through its Sports and Recreation Centre, hosted a lively ‘Meet and Greet’ session and Football Clinic with international football star Mesut Özil, drawing together the campus community and local residents in a spirited event.

The programme began at 3.15 p.m. at the USM Hockey Stadium with a ‘Meet and Greet’ session attended by about 500 participants, including students, staff, and football fans.

The interactive forum was moderated by Astro Arena sports commentator, Zainal Abidin Rawop, who guided the discussion in an engaging and structured manner.

Özil shared his journey as a professional footballer at the highest levels, reflecting on his experiences in Europe and on the international stage.

He stressed the importance of discipline, consistency, and nurturing talent from a young age as the foundation of success.

He also spoke about his football academy in Istanbul, Türkiye, which provides opportunities for underprivileged children to pursue their passion for the sport.

Expressing his admiration for Malaysia, Özil praised the country’s cultural diversity, distinctive cuisine, and harmonious society, describing his visit as both meaningful and memorable.

The programme continued with a Football Clinic involving 140 children under the age of 12, primarily the children of USM staff.

The clinic gave participants the chance to interact directly with Özil and learn basic football skills in a supportive training environment.

The session was further supported by USM FC, USMKK FC, and Minden Tiger.

The event was graced by the presence of Minister of Higher Education, YB Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir; Deputy Minister of Higher Education, YB Adam Adli Abdul Halim; Deputy Secretary General (Policy), Ministry of Higher Education, Dato’ Dr. Haji Megat Sany Megat Ahmad Supian; Director General of Higher Education, Datuk Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman; USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed; USM Registrar, Mohd Azizudin Mohd Shariff; Director of the Sports and Recreation Centre, Professor Dr. Hairul Anuar Hashim; and the Deputy Secretary, Strategic Planning Division (Sports Section), Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Hanafiah Ayub.

According to USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed, the programme reflects the university’s commitment to enriching learning experiences and broadening knowledge.

“Direct exposure to a global figure like Mesut Özil provides significant added value to the development of students and the community, particularly in fostering discipline, resilience, and aspirations toward excellence,” he said.

The event highlighted USM’s ability to connect global sports icons with grassroots talent development in a structured and impactful ecosystem.

Özil’s presence offered authentic and invaluable learning experiences, especially for young participants who witnessed firsthand the standards, discipline, and mindset of a world-class athlete.

Original Text: Siti Salwa Suhaida Mohamad Ibrahim, Sports and Recreation Centre, USM/Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe/Photo: Muhamad Faris Darwisy Mohammad Rafiq