SKUDAI, 1 February 2016 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) today bagged its first gold medal at the Higher Education Institutions Sports Championship (SUKIPT) 2016, hosted by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) here, through Karate-do.

The medal was contributed by Loh Chun Seng in the Men’s Individual category.

This was followed by the second gold medal which also came from Karate-do in the Women’s Individual category through its exponent Khaw Yee Voon.

Both were long-awaited gold medals for all the USM athletes in this SUKIPT because the USM contingent has yet to win any gold medal despite displaying some strong performances in several events since the championship started on 25 January.

It is hoped that the achievement will inspire other USM athletes who will be competing in the remaining events to perform excellently with four more days to go.

With the latest achievement, the USM contingent has so far collected 2 gold medals, 3 silver and 9 bronze and was placed 17th out of 69 institutions of higher learning (IPT) competing in this year’s championship.

The opening of SUKIPT 2016 was officiated by the Minister of Higher Education, YB Dato' Seri Idris Jusoh on 29 January at the UTM Stadium. The closing is scheduled on 5 February.

A total of 25 sports were being contested in the 12-day championship, which gathered more than 8,000 athletes and officers from a number of IPT in Malaysia and neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore and Laos.

SUKIPT, organised by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (KPT) in collaboration with the various IPT Sports Council (MASUM, MSP, MASKOM and MASISWA), was aimed at unearthing and showcasing the sports talents among undergraduates/postgraduates as well as further developing sports at the IPT, national and international level in an integrated manner.

The first SUKIPT was held in 2012 and the championship is open to all IPT athletes in Malaysia.

Translation: T. Nandhini / Editing: Tan Ewe Hoe

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah